WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran are making steady progress, with Pakistan playing a central role in facilitating backchannel diplomacy amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said the talks — conducted through Pakistani intermediaries — were moving in a “positive direction”, raising cautious hopes for a potential breakthrough despite ongoing military activity.
“A deal could be made fairly quickly,” Trump said, while declining to provide specific details about the scope or timeline of any agreement.
Pakistan’s Mediation Role Gains Prominence
The remarks underscore Pakistan’s emerging position as a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirming that Islamabad is actively relaying messages between the two sides.
Pakistan’s role has gained further visibility following a quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad, where foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt backed efforts to de-escalate tensions and support dialogue.
Officials say the diplomatic push includes structured exchanges aimed at reducing hostilities and laying the groundwork for formal negotiations.
Ceasefire Proposal and Reported Progress
According to reports, the United States has conveyed a 15-point ceasefire framework to Iran through Pakistani channels, with Trump claiming that Tehran has already accepted “most” of the proposals.
While details of the plan remain undisclosed, it is believed to focus on:
- De-escalation of military operations
- Maritime security, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz
- Steps toward a broader political settlement
Trump suggested that momentum in the talks could lead to a breakthrough “fairly quickly”, though no formal timeline has been confirmed.
Strait of Hormuz ‘Goodwill’ Gesture
Trump also pointed to what he described as a goodwill gesture by Iran, claiming that Tehran had allowed Pakistani-flagged vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
He said the initial number of tankers had increased and attributed the move to authorisation by senior Iranian leadership, describing it as a signal of seriousness in negotiations.
However, independent confirmation of these claims remains limited.
Conflict Continues Despite Diplomacy
Despite the diplomatic signals, Trump acknowledged that US military operations are ongoing, stating that thousands of targets remain.
“We’ve got about 3,000 targets left,” he said, indicating that military pressure continues alongside negotiations.
The dual-track approach — combining military operations with diplomacy — reflects the fragile and complex nature of the current situation.
The latest developments point to a rare diplomatic opening between the United States and Iran, with Pakistan positioned at the center of mediation efforts.
