A billboard in Tehran shows a graphic depicting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei with military commanders on March 13. Majid Saeedi/Getty ImagesIran wants this war to stop, but it cannot afford for it not to end without a final settlement. Iranian leaders have repeatedly said the US-Israeli war must end on their terms and that a mere ceasefire won’t suffice. That’s why guarantees against a repeat of the conflict were among the key demands Iran set out for ending the war. Crucially, Iran needs Israel to be restrained by Washington.

Source: CNN April 02, 2026 09:00 UTC