As the US-Israel war with Iran drags on and its economic shockwaves ripple across the globe, a pressing question has emerged at every diplomatic table: what does an acceptable end actually look like, and for whom?
Most people, almost everywhere, want this war to end as quickly as possible. But wanting peace and agreeing on its terms are two very different things. The gap between those positions is where diplomacy goes to die.
What the United States Wants
The Trump administration entered this conflict with a set of maximalist objectives: the permanent dismantling of Iran's nuclear programme, the degrading of its ballistic missile capabilities, and a fundamental shift in Tehran's regional behaviour, including an end to its support for Hezbollah, Hamas, and other proxy groups.
For Washington, a ceasefire that leaves Iran's strategic capabilities intact would be portrayed domestically as a failure. The administration needs a deal it can credibly call a win.
What Israel Wants
Israel's war aims are similarly expansive. At minimum, Israeli leadership wants Iran's nuclear infrastructure destroyed beyond recovery. More ambitiously, some factions within the Israeli government see this as a historic opportunity to reshape the regional order, weakening Iran to the point where it can no longer threaten Israeli security for a generation.
Israel has little incentive to rush toward a ceasefire unless its core objectives are met. It is the US, not Israel, that is bearing the brunt of international criticism and economic blowback from the oil crisis.
What Iran Wants
Iran's position is, not surprisingly, focused on survival and dignity. Tehran wants the military campaign to stop, sanctions relief, and recognition of its right to a civilian nuclear programme. It also wants to avoid any outcome that looks like unconditional surrender, which would be domestically catastrophic for the regime.
Iran's willingness to strike UAE infrastructure and threaten broader regional disruption suggests it retains significant leverage and intends to use it.
What Europe Wants
European governments want the oil flowing again, inflation under control, and minimal military entanglement. Beyond those immediate needs, Europe wants a diplomatic settlement that restores some version of the international nuclear framework, ideally one that constrains Iran's capabilities without requiring permanent regime change or endless military occupation of the region.
Europe is perhaps the most motivated party to find a negotiated exit, but it lacks the military or diplomatic leverage to impose one.
What Gulf States Want
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states are watching with deep anxiety. They want the conflict to end before it does further damage to their economies and infrastructure, as Iran's strike on Fujairah and Dubai airport made devastatingly clear. Gulf leaders are quietly encouraging back-channel contacts while publicly avoiding alignment with either Washington or Tehran.
The Hard Truth
The positions above are not easily reconciled. A deal that satisfies Washington and Tel Aviv is likely to be unacceptable to Tehran, and vice versa. Meanwhile, every day the war continues, the economic and humanitarian costs mount, particularly for the world's most vulnerable populations in Africa and South Asia, who depend on affordable food and energy imports that the closed Strait of Hormuz has made suddenly scarce.
The difficult reality is that most parties want the war to end, just not badly enough, yet, to accept the compromises that would make that possible.
Source: BBC World
