IRAN LAYS DOWN TERMS FOR CEASEFIRE AS WEST ASIA WAR ENTERS DAY 13; OIL MARKETS SHAKEN, GLOBAL TENSIONS RISE
As the devastating conflict in West Asia entered its 13th day, Iran signalled that it is willing to halt hostilities with Israel and the United States—but only if a set of strict conditions is accepted by the international community.
The announcement came amid continuing missile exchanges, attacks on shipping routes, and mounting global economic repercussions triggered by the ongoing war.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly outlined Tehran’s position through a message on the social media platform X, stating that Iran remains committed to regional peace but would only agree to end the conflict if its demands are met. The Iranian leader said he had conveyed the country’s stance during conversations with the leaders of Russia and Pakistan, stressing that diplomatic engagement remains possible if the root causes of the conflict are addressed.
According to Pezeshkian, the war—sparked by what he described as aggressive actions by Israel and the United States—can only be brought to an end through three key measures.
First, Iran insists that its legitimate national rights must be formally acknowledged by the global community.
Second, Tehran demands compensation for the extensive damage caused by military strikes during the conflict.
Third, it is seeking binding international assurances that Iran will not face similar military aggression in the future.
While Iran articulated its conditions for peace, the United States signalled a different stance. US President Donald Trump declared that Washington had effectively achieved victory in the conflict, though he added that American military forces would remain deployed in the region until the operation’s objectives were completely fulfilled.
His remarks suggested that despite claims of success, the United States intends to maintain a strong military presence in the area as the situation remains volatile.
The war erupted on February 28 when the United States and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on Iranian targets, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions that had been building for months.
Iran responded with a series of retaliatory missile and drone attacks against Israeli positions and strategic assets linked to the United States across the region.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, the conflict has witnessed intense exchanges of strikes, with both sides targeting military installations, infrastructure and strategic facilities.
The violence has resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties, including military personnel and civilians, while several cities and critical installations across the region have suffered extensive damage.
Beyond the battlefield, the war has had profound consequences for global trade and energy security.
Iranian attacks on oil tankers and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, coupled with disruptions around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, have significantly affected global crude supplies.
The strait serves as one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, handling nearly a fifth of the planet’s daily petroleum shipments.
With tanker traffic drastically reduced and several vessels damaged in attacks, crude oil prices have surged sharply in international markets.
Energy analysts warn that prolonged disruptions could trigger broader economic instability, with rising fuel prices feeding inflation across many countries.
The ripple effects of the crisis are already being felt in India. Faced with concerns over supply shortages and rising global prices, India has increased its purchases of discounted crude oil from Russia during the first eleven days of March.
Trade data and tanker tracking information indicate a significant uptick in Russian shipments to Indian refineries as New Delhi seeks to secure stable energy supplies amid the uncertainty created by the conflict.
The continuing war has therefore transformed what began as a regional military confrontation into a crisis with far-reaching geopolitical and economic implications.
With diplomatic negotiations still uncertain and military operations ongoing, the path to de-escalation remains unclear as the Middle East braces for further turbulence.
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