Iran Says US Must Decide War's End Amid Escalating Conflict in Middle East

The Middle East conflict is escalating as Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian says it's up to the US to decide whether the war ends. This comes after a recent interview in which he stated, 'it’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not.' He also distanced himself from Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying they are responsible for their own actions and Iran is not at war with Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis launched dozens of missiles and drones at Saudi targets on Friday morning, with six ballistic missiles intercepted. Emergency alerts were issued in Mecca, Jeddah, and Yanbu, while Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan plan an urgent meeting of their chiefs of staff under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.

The conflict is keeping oil markets volatile, with Brent crude for November delivery dropping 1% to $93.66 a barrel on Friday. This is despite diplomatic efforts from China's President Xi Jinping, who met with US President Donald Trump in Washington this week and emphasized the need for de-escalation in the region.

The war has become increasingly tied to high-level diplomacy in Washington, where Chinese President Xi Jinping is pushing for Beijing's help in pressing Tehran toward a settlement. Iranian officials have also signaled they could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington begins easing its naval blockade of Iranian ports.