Pakistan is preparing to host talks between the United States, Iran and Israel after a month-long war amid military escalation, diplomatic backchannels and competing claims of progress towards a ceasefire. Islamabad has emerged as a potential mediator, while Iran has toughened its rhetoric against potential US ground operations and President Donald Trump has claimed talks are moving forward.Meanwhile, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf rejected proposed talks in Pakistan following the arrival of about 2,500 US Marines trained in amphibious landings in the Middle East. He accused the United States of preparing to deploy troops as well as sending messages about possible negotiations, and said Tehran was prepared to respond if American troops were deployed. At the same time, Donald Trump said that Washington is directly and indirectly negotiating with Iran.Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iran has paid the United States a “tribute” of 20 oil tankers, which are expected to transit the Strait of Hormuz on Monday morning. He also claimed that there have already been two “regime changes” in Iran, saying that all members of both the first and second regimes have died, while the third regime has been “very fair”. More than 3,000 people have been killed so far in the conflict, which began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran and escalated into retaliatory attacks across the region. The war has disrupted global energy markets, endangered key shipping routes and spread to multiple theaters, including Lebanon and the Red Sea.
Amidst the silence of America and Iran, Pakistan came forward as a mediator.
Pakistan announced that it would host talks between the US and Iran and position itself as a diplomatic bridge between the two adversaries. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, “Pakistan is very pleased that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate the talks. Pakistan will be honored to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days.”The announcement was made after a meeting of regional powers including Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in Islamabad. Egypt’s foreign minister indicated that the effort was aimed at starting “direct dialogue” between Washington and Tehran.However, there has been no official confirmation from the US or Iran, and it is unclear whether the talks will be direct or conducted through mediators. Pakistan’s emergence comes after several weeks of quiet diplomacy, taking advantage of its relations with both sides.
Iran rejects talks, warns US troops will be targeted
Even as mediation efforts intensified, Iran publicly rejected the basis for negotiations under pressure. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf rejected the proposed talks in Pakistan under the cover of US military deployment.He said Iranian forces were “waiting for US troops to arrive on the ground so they can open fire and punish their regional allies once and for all.”Iran also escalated threats, warning that it could target the homes of American and Israeli officials in the region. Military spokesman Ibrahim Zolfaghari cited attacks on Iranian residential areas as justification for the retaliation.
The situation on the ground has worsened as strikes intensified across the region
The hostilities on the battlefield became more intense. Israel expanded its military operations in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing plans to escalate the offensive and expand the security buffer zone targeting Hezbollah.In Iran, Israeli airstrikes hit Tehran, dropping more than 120 munitions on sites linked to weapons development. Power outages were reported before being partially restored.The conflict has displaced more than one million people in Lebanon. Civilians are bearing the brunt of this, with one displaced resident describing Israel as “an expansionist state”.Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels entered the conflict, launching missiles and drones toward Israel and threatening shipping routes near the Red Sea.
Strait of Hormuz tensions have shaken global energy markets
The strategically important Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a significant flashpoint. Iran’s control over the route has disrupted global oil and gas supplies, while the disruption has spread to air travel and fertilizer markets.Iran signaled limited de-escalation by allowing select ships to pass through the strait. The ships allowed included Pakistani-flagged ships, which some analysts saw as a diplomatic gesture amid ongoing tensions.At the same time, the risks of further escalation remain high, particularly with the Houthis threatening the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, another vital global shipping route.
Iran proposes alternative peace terms, rejects US framework
Diplomatically, both sides appear far apart. The US has proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan, but Iran has rejected it and presented a five-point proposal instead.According to Iranian state media, Tehran’s plan includes stopping the assassination of Iranian officials, guarantees against future attacks, compensation and recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.Iran has also publicly rejected talks under pressure, indicating that negotiations, if any, would require significant concessions from Washington.
Trump claims progress, hints at oil flow agreement from Air Force One
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone on the negotiations, even as he issued a stern warning.He said Iran had agreed to allow 20 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz “as a sign of respect.”“I would just say we’re doing very well in that negotiation but you never know with Iran because we negotiate with them and then we always have to blow them up,” Trump said.He said Iran responded to the US ceasefire proposal by saying, “They gave us most of the points. Why wouldn’t they do that?”“They agree with us on the plan,” Trump said, though he did not provide details.
Trump claims ‘regime change’ in Iran amid war
Trump also suggested that the conflict has reshaped Iran’s leadership structure.“I think we’ll make a deal with them, I’m sure…but we’ve had a transition,” he said.“We are working with different people than anyone before. It’s a completely different group of people. So I will consider that regime change.He further claimed that Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei “may be alive but he is obviously in very serious trouble. He is seriously injured.”
Civilian fear and displacement are increasing in conflict areas
At the ground level, fear continues to grow among citizens. In Iran, residents described frequent air strikes and uncertainty.“We don’t know at what moment our homes could be targeted,” said Razzaq Saghir al-Moussawi, who fled to Iraq. “I’m definitely scared.”Humanitarian losses are increasing in many countries due to displacement, infrastructure damage and shortages of essential goods.
Regional powers insist on guarantees and de-escalation
Gulf countries have demanded security guarantees as part of any peace agreement. UAE adviser Anwar Gargash said any agreement should ensure that Iranian attacks on neighboring countries do not happen again.He described Iran as the “main threat” to regional security and demanded compensation for damage caused to civilian infrastructure.
The war extends beyond the battlefield to cyber and economic fronts
Beyond traditional warfare, the conflict is also playing out digitally and economically. Cyber operations have intensified, while sanctions and supply disruptions continue to weigh on global markets.With multiple actors involved and no clear breakthrough yet, the conflict remains fluid, with diplomacy and escalation unfolding simultaneously.
