Israel-Iran conflict: reports Tehran asked Middle East nations to press Donald Trump to negotiate ceasefire

Tehran is reportedly asking nations in the Middle East to lobby Donald Trump to intervene in the escalating conflict with Israel and help negotiate a truce in the wake of a fresh wave of strikes.

Iran launched missiles at Israeli cities on Monday local time after Tel Aviv struck deep inside the Islamic republic, raising the Jewish state’s death toll by 11 on day four of an escalating air war.

But behind the scenes, Tehran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to appeal to US President Donald Trump to use his relationship with Israel to encourage a ceasefire, multiple well placed sources have told Reuters.

Diplomats from the Middle East nations reportedly spent the weekend attempting to prevent a wider conflict believing Mr Trump is the key to getting through to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The sources stated Iran was willing to offer “flexibility” on the nuclear deal in exchange for an end to the military action.

Israel’s strikes have so far killed at least 224 people, including top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, according to Iranian authorities.

In retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it had “successfully” struck Israel with a salvo of missiles and warned of “effective, targeted and more devastating operations” to come.

The Iranian attacks hit Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva and Haifa – with shattered homes, smouldering wreckage and stunned residents picking through debris.

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Originally published as Israel-Iran conflict: reports Tehran asked Middle East nations to press Donald Trump to negotiate ceasefire