Oman and EU call for ending the conflict

Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, on Tuesday received Luigi Di Maio, the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Gulf Region.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed opportunities and ways to halt the ongoing conflict in the region and its repercussions on the security and stability of nations, as well as its impact on international navigation and energy supplies.
Both parties emphasised the importance of aligning and integrating regional and international efforts, and in this context, pushing for channels of dialogue and peaceful and legal solutions.
They further stressed the necessity of de-escalation through the cessation of military actions, adherence to the principles of international law and international humanitarian law, and respect for the sovereignty of states, while underscoring diplomatic efforts to address crises and achieve sustainable security and stability.
CONFLICT
Iran and Israel traded strikes on Tuesday, as the Middle East war showed no sign of de-escalation after US President Donald Trump signalled 'very good talks' to end the three-week conflict.
The war, sparked by US-Israel attacks on Iran that killed its supreme leader, has upended global energy markets, roiled the world economy, and spiralled throughout the region.
Israel's army said it had conducted a 'large wave' of air strikes across several areas of Iran, which had earlier launched a 'direct hit' on a building in an upscale area of Tel Aviv.
AFP images showed rubble-strewn streets and the side of a three-storey building in Israel's commercial hub in ruins, as first responders scrambled to assist at least four people lightly injured at four different locations.
Earlier, Iranian media reported US-Israeli warplanes had struck two gas facilities and a pipeline, hours after Trump stepped back from his threat to attack energy sites, citing negotiations to end the war.
Trump on Monday said his administration was speaking with an unidentified 'top person', as he extended by five days a deadline to hit Iran's power plants.
But Tehran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said 'no negotiations' were under way, accusing Trump of seeking 'to manipulate the financial and oil markets.'
As uncertainty swirled about diplomatic efforts to end the war, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia said they intercepted renewed drone and missile attacks on Tuesday.
There are no formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran, and Trump's suggestion that there had been progress in talks was met with a swift denial from Iran.
But Iran's foreign ministry acknowledged that messages had been relayed by 'some friendly countries' indicating a 'US request for negotiations aimed at ending the war'.