West Asia edged deeper into uncertainty on Monday as Iran and the United States once again hit a diplomatic deadlock over ending their war, threatening to prolong a conflict that has already destabilised the region, shaken global oil markets and reignited fears of a wider military escalation involving Israel and Hezbollah.

With ceasefires increasingly fragile, fuel prices soaring and tensions centred around the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, both sides traded blame over stalled negotiations even as Washington and Israel insisted Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile must be removed, while Tehran demanded an end to sanctions and the US blockade before talks can move forward.