Middle East Crisis

Peace Talks
Analysis: Many Obstacles Stand in the Way of a Peace Settlement

The ceasefire expires in three days, which is expected to increase pressure on the ongoing peace negotiations. But the question is what demands Iran and Lebanon can agree to.

“Is it even possible to disarm Hezbollah?” writes Haaretz’s Liza Rozovsky in an analysis.

In parallel, statements from both US President Donald Trump and Tehran have led to friction between these parties in recent days, writes The Guardian.

Iran and the US have taken turns opening and closing the Strait of Hormuz to traffic, while threats have been exchanged. Trump has threatened that bombs could start falling again if Iran does not agree to US demands, but it is not certain that Iran will be deterred by this.

“Trump’s desperation to end the war has led him to try to speed up a process he does not control, a process that depends on Tehran’s support,” writes The Guardian’s Patrick Wintour.

“Iran, for its part, remains convinced that the Strait is their trump card and that time is on their side.”

Economic Impact
Report: EU prepares work-from-home requirement

The European Commission will next week present a package of measures that, among other things, advocates working from home in an attempt to mitigate the effects of rising fuel prices, the Financial Times reports.

According to documents seen by the newspaper, the Commission could, among other things, encourage European companies to introduce a mandatory work-from-home day where possible.

– When we have an energy shortage, it is our responsibility to ensure that citizens know what they can do to cut back on their use.

The package will also include proposals for subsidies for local transport, air-source heat pumps and solar panels.

Fuel prices have recently risen sharply due to Iran and the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large part of the world's oil traffic passes.