Macquarie: Cautious View on Optimistic Expectations in the Upcoming Middle East "Peace Agreement"

Odaily News Macquarie Bank global strategists Thierry Wizman and Gareth Berry stated in a report that it is still too early to have excessively high expectations that a "peace agreement" in the Middle East can be reached within the next few days, as the demands from both sides still appear difficult to reconcile. The idea that the US would abandon its demands regarding Iran's nuclear assets, or that the US would simply withdraw its bases from the Gulf region, is too unrealistic. At this stage, it is also unlikely that Iran will abandon its support for its proxy forces. However, this war is unlikely to continue beyond mid-April, as by then the threat from Iran is likely to be eliminated. Once the threat is eliminated, the US will hold the upper hand in any subsequent negotiations. (Jin10)