According to Al Jazeera, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, told Al Jazeera in an interview that Tehran has conveyed its conditions for ending the war to the United States via Qatar and is awaiting a response from President Donald Trump. The conditions include ending the war on all fronts, releasing seized Iranian assets, and lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports. Meanwhile, President Trump cut short his stay at Camp David and returned to the White House on Saturday evening, September 20, 2026, as his administration weighs its next steps in the ongoing conflict.
Diplomatic Channels and Iranian Demands
Iranian officials outlined the requirements during an interview, noting that discussions with Qatari and Pakistani mediators remain active. However, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson stated on state television that Tehran has not yet heard any direct messages in response from Washington. The diplomatic outreach coincides with domestic mobilization, as approximately 300,000 individuals attended pro-regime rallies in Tehran for the “Janfaday-e Iran” initiative, marking the largest recruitment drive since the conflict began.
Houthi Attacks and Regional Security
The conflict expanded as Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile targeting Riyadh on Saturday, September 20, 2026, marking the first time the Saudi capital has been struck during the current escalation. According to Saudi statements, the missile was intercepted, though residents reported hearing an explosion near the airport. Additional attempted strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Yanbu, Taif, Baysh, and Farasan. The UN Security Council condemned the Houthi escalation late Friday, warning that the attacks threaten maritime security and international trade while calling for strict enforcement of the UN arms embargo.
Economic Fallout and Energy Markets
Investment bank JP Morgan has expressed difficulty in predicting the trajectory of energy prices resulting from the conflict. According to a research note from JP Morgan, analysts admitted they no longer have a baseline view or know how to model the endgame of the war. Oil prices have surpassed $100 a barrel, and 10-year US government bond yields have crossed 5 percent. Despite these economic pressures, President Trump defended the fiscal cost in recent public remarks, while his overall approval rating stands at 35 percent according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted between September 11 and September 14, 2026.
Did you know?
According to JP Morgan, initial banking models anticipated that economic pressures such as oil exceeding $100 a barrel and inflation reaching 4 percent would push the administration toward an early deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a threshold that has since been crossed without a clear exit strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Iran’s conditions for ending the war?
According to Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s conditions include ending the war on all fronts, releasing seized Iranian assets, and terminating the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Who mediated the transmission of Iran’s conditions?
Iran conveyed its conditions to the United States through Qatar, with ongoing diplomatic contact involving Pakistani mediators as well.
How have oil markets responded to the conflict?
Benchmark oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel, with investment bank JP Morgan reporting severe challenges in modeling future price movements due to the lack of a clear exit strategy.
What recent military activity occurred in Saudi Arabia?
Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted Riyadh with a ballistic missile on Saturday, September 20, 2026, though Saudi authorities confirmed the attack was intercepted.
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