Macquarie Bank global strategists Thierry Wiesmann and Gareth Berry stated in a report that it is premature to have high expectations for a "peace agreement" in the Middle East to be reached in the next few days, as the demands of both sides still seem 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 in the Gulf region, is too unrealistic. It is also unlikely at this stage that Iran will relinquish its support for its proxy forces. However, this conflict is unlikely to last beyond mid-April, as the Iranian threat is likely to be eliminated by then. Once the threat is eliminated, the US will have the upper hand in any subsequent negotiations. (Jinshi)