WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States “needs nothing from NATO”, while issuing stark warnings to Iran over ongoing efforts to end the Middle East conflict, as Pakistan confirmed it is relaying messages between Washington and Tehran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said NATO allies had “done absolutely nothing” to help in fighting Iran, which he described as “militarily decimated”.
“The USA needs nothing from NATO,” he wrote.
Trump warns Iran to ‘get serious’
Trump also intensified pressure on Tehran, saying Iran must urgently engage in negotiations.
“Iranian negotiators are ‘begging’ us to make a deal,” he said, adding that Tehran “better get serious soon, before it is too late”.
He warned that failure to reach an agreement would leave “no turning back”.
Trump’s remarks came amid ongoing peace efforts to end the conflict.
Pakistan confirms indirect US-Iran talks
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday said indirect talks between the United States and Iran are ongoing through messages relayed by Islamabad.
“There has been unnecessary speculation in the media… In reality, US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan,” Dar said in a post on X, adding that Washington had shared a 15-point proposal now under consideration by Tehran.
He said countries including Turkiye and Egypt were also supporting the diplomatic initiative, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.
“Pakistan remains fully committed to promoting peace and continues to make every effort to ensure stability in the region and beyond,” Dar said.
“Dialogue and diplomacy is the only way forward,” he said.
There has been unnecessary speculation in the media regarding peace talks to end ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In reality, US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan. In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) March 26, 2026
Officials said that talks could potentially be hosted in Islamabad in the coming days.
Iran confirms indirect talks with US
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed exchanges through intermediaries and said that indirect exchanges did not constitute negotiations.
“Messages being conveyed through our friendly countries… is not called negotiation or dialogue,” he said in a state television interview.
A senior Iranian official, cited by Reuters, said Tehran is still reviewing the US proposal delivered via Pakistan, signalling that contacts remain active behind the scenes.
According to The Washington Post, the proposal includes sanctions relief in exchange for Iran relinquishing enriched uranium, halting enrichment, curbing its missile programme and ending support for regional groups.
Pakistan stresses ‘process, not event’
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office urged caution in reporting developments.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad was “striving for peace” and facilitating communication.
“How we achieve it — whether through facilitation or mediation — I leave it to you,” he said.
He confirmed that Pakistan had passed the US proposal to Iran “digitally” but cautioned against speculation.
“This is not an event… it is a process,” he said, adding that concrete updates would be shared when available.
