DIPLOMACY TAKES CENTER STAGE : lRAN TO STAND DOWN, lSRAEL ATTACK THREATS.

lran should hold off its expected assault of Israel to avoid scuttling the progress coming out of the two-day cease-fire and hostage release negotiations taking place in Doha, Qatar’s prime minister urged Iran’s leaders in a phone call following the first day of talks, according to two diplomats familiar with the conversation.

The message from Qatar’s Mr. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani underscores the deadly stakes looming over the discussions between representatives of the United States, Israel, Egypt and Qatar. 

Hamas officials, some of whom live in Doha, are not directly participating in the talks but mediators are keeping them updated on the status of the negotiations.