WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that negotiations with Iran to end the Middle East war were underway “right now,” claiming Tehran wants to make a deal “so badly.”
“We’re in negotiations right now,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, saying that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner were involved.
Asked if he trusts the Iranians said to be in talks with US representatives, Trump said he doesn’t trust anybody but alluded to receiving a “gift” that he said suggested, “we’re dealing with the right people.”
“They gave us a present, and the present arrived today,” Trump said. “It was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money. And I’m not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize,” added.
Pressed for more detail, Trump said it was “oil- and gas-related” but went no further. “It was a very nice thing they did. But what it showed me is that we’re dealing with the right people.”
Meanwhile, the White House said US military operations remain active. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told AFP that operations against Iran were continuing.
“As President Trump and his negotiators explore this newfound possibility of diplomacy, Operation Epic Fury continues unabated to achieve the military objectives laid out by the Commander in Chief and the Pentagon,” she said in a statement.
Iran confirms indirect contacts
Iran signalled limited openness to dialogue but denied any formal negotiations.
According to Reuters, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran had received proposals from the United States through intermediaries.
He clarified that no formal negotiations were underway but acknowledged that messages outlining potential talks had been conveyed, indicating that indirect diplomatic channels remain active.
Separately, a senior Iranian official, cited by CBS News, said that the United States had sent a list of points via mediators, which Tehran was reviewing.
Pakistan offers to host US-Iran talks
On Tuesday, Pakistan offered to facilitate dialogue between the US and Iran to end the Middle East war.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad stands ready to host “meaningful and conclusive talks” to help end the conflict.
“Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” Sharif said in a statement on X.
Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond. Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 24, 2026
Trump later also reposted PM Sharif’s statement on his Truth Social platform.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi reiterated Islamabad’s position, emphasising that Islamabad supports a peaceful resolution through diplomacy.
“Diplomacy and negotiations often require that certain matters be advanced with discretion,” Andrabi said, urging media to avoid speculation and await official announcements.
Diplomacy and mediation efforts
International media reports suggest intensified backchannel efforts to bring the two sides together.
A source cited by Axios said both Washington and Tehran had shown readiness to begin talks, driven in part by market pressures and rising oil prices.
Trump said earlier that discussions would continue over the phone, with the possibility of an in-person meeting later, although Iran has not confirmed this.
Sources cited by CBS News said that the Trump administration is seeking a meeting between senior US and Iranian officials as early as this weekend, potentially in Pakistan, which has positioned itself as a mediator due to its close ties with both sides.
