Behind-the-scenes diplomacy has made some headway. The reported willingness of the US to consider a "seven-day proposal" for tranquility presented by Iran is a welcome development. Washington had earlier rejected the proposal and imposed its own conditions. The fact that Qatar has reached out to Tehran with a nod from the White House - and that this is now being discussed to broker a formal understanding - must graduate into a thaw. There is no room for returning to the theater of war; the region is on edge, and........

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