As the United States–Israel war against Iran enters its third week and continues to spill across the region, the question is no longer who will win but how this conflict might end. Each round of retaliation deepens a cycle that threatens to pull the wider Middle East into prolonged instability. Yet even the most entrenched wars eventually give way to negotiation. The challenge is recognising the moment when continuing the fight becomes more costly than stepping back.Earlier this week, Iran once again denied responsibility for recent attacks on civilian infrastructure in the Gulf and proposed forming a joint committee with regional states to investigate the incidents. Tehran suggested that a cooperative mechanism involving Gulf countries could clarify what happened and determine responsibility. Whether such a proposal is sincere or simply tactical is another matter. Iran has repeatedly insisted that its war is with the US and Israel, not with its Gulf neighbours. But continued missile and drone attacks across the region have heightened suspicion. Any Iranian claim will be scrutinised carefully, if not outright rejected.Still, Gulf states understand better than most that this war is not in their interest. It is not a conflict of their choosing, and they have been careful not to become direct participants so far. Their response has largely b …
