{"text":[[{"start":8.76,"text":"Donald Trump has said there was “positive momentum” towards ending the Iran war, adding that a renewed US attack on the Islamic republic “seems to be quite unlikely”."}],[{"start":18.527,"text":"The US president made the comments after holding talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, whose government has been spearheading regional efforts to mediate an interim deal between the parties."}],[{"start":30.2,"text":"Trump said renewed US strikes on Iran “seemed to be unlikely”, adding that he would retain the status quo at the behest of the Islamic republic’s neighbours."}],[{"start":38.56,"text":"At least four Arab and Muslim leaders have spoken with the US president in recent days to convince him to give diplomacy more time and hold off on strikes amid concerns in the region that he would launch a fresh attack following last week’s midterm elections."}],[{"start":52.28,"text":"“We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict, and will ensure that America’s interests are at all times protected,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform."}],[{"start":61.6,"text":"“Most importantly, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others, would prefer the status quo, in other words, a continuation of the Greatest Naval Blockade in History, and the new Operation Iron Gate — Therefore, Land and Sea.”"}],[{"start":77.04,"text":"Trump added that the US was “locked and loaded and ready to go”, but said “at this point, however, that seems to be quite unlikely”."}],[{"start":84,"text":"A diplomat briefed on the talks said the meeting between Trump, vice-president JD Vance and Sheikh Mohammed was “positive”, and there was “agreement that diplomacy is the preferred way forward to get a deal”."}],[{"start":95.14,"text":"In recent days, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar have spoken with Trump to in a bid to convince him to give diplomacy more time to resolve the near nine-month war. They have been concerned that the US president could order new strikes on Iran after his Republican Party’s disastrous results in last Tuesday’s elections."}],[{"start":115.28,"text":"The unpopularity of the US-Israeli war against Iran and its impact on fuel prices were crucial issues in the election, but Trump has been weighing military options against the Islamic republic."}],[{"start":125.64,"text":"Arab and Muslim leaders have also been alarmed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s persistent lobbying for Trump to mount a new offensive. The Israeli leader, who remains caretaker prime minister after the nation’s inconclusive elections, has called for renewed US-Israeli strikes aimed at forcing the collapse of Iran’s regime."}],[{"start":144.32,"text":"“Netanyahu calls him every day [to urge him to resume the war]. Those who don’t want a war within the White House and outside have been trying to combat that,” said a person briefed on the discussions. “The regional leaders are telling him not to escalate and prioritise negotiations.”"}],[{"start":161.32,"text":"A person familiar with the situation in Israel said Netanyahu wanted a resumption of military action against Iran but added there was not currently a “push” to persuade Trump to do so."}],[{"start":171.92,"text":"The White House declined to comment."}],[{"start":174.04,"text":"The leaders who have called Trump include Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, according to people briefed on the calls."}],[{"start":189.84,"text":"There is consensus among Arab and Muslim leaders that any renewed escalation would plunge the region into a deeper crisis amid fears that the conflict would elicit a ferocious Iranian response that would target their states."}],[{"start":202.72,"text":"Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, said: “The priority must remain the pursuit of political diplomatic solutions capable of producing a more sustainable regional balance.”"}],[{"start":214.52,"text":"“It is perhaps too early to fully assess the impact of the US midterm elections on Washington’s approach towards Iran,” Gargash said in a speech on Monday. “We remain hopeful, however, that the outcome will reinforce efforts to pursue diplomatic solutions that can ensure lasting peace and stability in the Gulf.”"}],[{"start":232.24,"text":"Iran has said it is prepared to respond to any attacks and warned it would target undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz, data centres in the region and expand the conflict beyond the Middle East."}],[{"start":243.64,"text":"Concerns about an escalation in hostilities have increased as mediators struggled for weeks to break a deadlock between the warring parties over a proposal for an interim deal before the midterms."}],[{"start":254.96,"text":"Both sides have been working with mediators to agree details of a proposal based on a version of a seven-day plan Tehran presented in September, which Trump rejected."}],[{"start":262.68,"text":"Under the proposal, Iran would allow shipping to move freely through the strait if the US lifted its blockade on Iranian ports, allowed Tehran to export oil and granted it access to some of its frozen assets held overseas. The parties would then restart negotiations on a final deal."}],[{"start":281.24,"text":"Sticking points include sequencing of the proposals and the fate of Iran’s 440kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The US wants Iran to agree to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit its main nuclear facilities, which the US bombed during a 12-day conflict last year, people briefed on the talks said. The stockpile is believed to lie beneath the rubble."}],[{"start":306.36,"text":"The White House has insisted that Iran give up its stockpile, which is enriched close to weapons-grade, and transfer it offshore. But Iranian officials publicly reject any such move."}],[{"start":317.2,"text":"Additional reporting by James Shotter in Jerusalem"}],[{"start":324.42,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1794274583_6671.mp3"}