New Delhi, July 10: Middle East expert Waiel Awwad on Friday said that neither the United States nor Iran appears willing to escalate the ongoing conflict into a full-scale war, with both sides limiting their military responses to retaliatory strikes.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Awwad said the pattern of attack and counterattack indicates that both countries are exercising restraint despite recent tensions.”There have been retaliatory attacks by Iran on US military bases in the region, including in GCC countries and Jordan. However, both sides are limiting their actions, which suggests that neither wants a full-fledged war at this stage,” he said.
Awwad said diplomatic efforts are continuing behind the scenes, with several regional countries working to bring both sides back to the negotiating table.He said countries including Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are actively engaged in discussions with Iran and other stakeholders to facilitate dialogue on implementing the existing regional security framework.
According to Awwad, both Washington and Tehran appear open to negotiations, with discussions now focused on the details of implementing the agreed framework.
Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks advocating dialogue and diplomacy to resolve global conflicts, Awwad said India’s position reflects its strategic interests in the region.
He said India has been affected by the instability in West Asia through concerns related to energy security, food supplies and the welfare of the Indian diaspora. He added that India is well placed to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing regional tensions and promoting peaceful resolution of disputes.
Referring to the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Awwad said the large public participation reflected widespread support for the leader. He claimed that the funeral procession, held across Iran and Iraq, demonstrated public solidarity following his death.
Awwad also alleged that Khamenei’s 14-month-old granddaughter was killed during the recent strikes, claiming that the incident has strengthened public unity within Iran and reinforced support for the country’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the conflict with Iran is “not over yet” and that Israel is preparing for all possible scenarios amid renewed tensions following the collapse of the Washington-Tehran ceasefire.