WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday said Washington is in “serious discussions” with a “new and reasonable regime” in Iran to end military operations and warned of devastating strikes if a deal is not reached.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said “great progress” had been made in talks, but issued a stark warning.
“If the deal is not shortly reached… and if the Strait of Hormuz is not immediately ‘open for business’, we will… completely obliterate all of their electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island,” he said.
He said such action would be in retaliation for US personnel killed by Iran.
Earlier, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I think we’ll make a deal… but it’s possible we won’t.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an interview with Al Jazeera, said Washington continues to pursue diplomacy with Iran to end the war.
Rubio said indirect communication is ongoing. “President Trump always prefers diplomacy and always prefers to reach a result,” he said, noting that talks are taking place through intermediaries.
Earlier in a statement, Rubio reiterated firm US conditions, including that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and must halt missile and drone production.
Rubio also warned that the United States would not allow Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz or impose a toll system on shipping.
“Iran is making threats about controlling the Strait of Hormuz and creating a tolling system. That’s not going to be allowed to happen,” he said in remarks shared by the State Department with ABC News.
SECRETARY RUBIO: Iran is making threats about controlling the Strait of Hormuz and creating a tolling system. That’s not going to be allowed to happen.
There is a way forward here to achieve our objectives in a matter of weeks, not months. pic.twitter.com/YG2BdBPHAc
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 30, 2026
He also outlined Washington’s military objectives in a separate video message, including destroying Iran’s air force and navy, degrading its missile capabilities, and targeting weapons production facilities. He said the US is “ahead of schedule” and could achieve its goals “in a number of weeks.”
SECRETARY RUBIO: Here are the clear objectives of the operation. You should write them down:
1. The destruction of Iran’s air force
2. The destruction of their navy
3. The severe diminishing of their missile launching capability
4. The destruction of their factories
🎯 pic.twitter.com/SrqCtPLlZB— Department of State (@StateDept) March 30, 2026
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said global oil markets remain stable despite the tensions.
“Over time, the US is going to retake control of the straits and there will be freedom of navigation,” he said in an interview with Fox News.
.@SecScottBessent on the Strait of Hormuz: "We are seeing more and more ships go through on a daily basis…but over time, the U.S. is going to retake control of the straits, and there will be freedom of navigation, whether it is through U.S. escorts or a multinational escort." pic.twitter.com/m0ruKxthRc
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 30, 2026
Fighting continued across the region on Monday, with Iran launching missile attacks on Israel and vowing to “punish the aggressor”, while Israeli forces struck targets in Tehran.
Pakistan steps up mediation to end war
Amid the escalation, Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to mediate talks between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan has moved a step closer to hosting high-stakes talks between Iran and the US.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday said that Tehran and Washington have expressed confidence in Islamabad’s role as a facilitator.
The announcement followed a high-level quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad involving the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt, who discussed ways to de-escalate the conflict.
“Pakistan would be honoured to host meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days,” Dar said after a quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt.
The meeting, the second such consultation this month after Riyadh, produced what Dar described as “unified regional backing” for mediation efforts.
Iran-US expressed confidence in Pakistan to facilitate peace talks: FM Dar pic.twitter.com/EdEIWQxxYT
— Pakistan TV Digital (@PakistanTVcom) March 29, 2026
Wider global support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts
Dar highlighted strong international support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts.
“I had a detailed telephonic conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China fully supports Pakistan’s initiative to host Iran-US talks,” he said.
He also said that the United Nations Secretary-General has backed Pakistan’s initiative for regional peace.
The quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad was the second consultation this month, following an earlier round in Riyadh.
Dar described the outcome as producing “unified regional backing for Pakistan’s mediation effort.”
🔊PR No.8️⃣2️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister /Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Conclusion of 2nd Meeting of Four Foreign Ministers
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JpUbUdhzLb
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 29, 2026
China, EU back Pakistan’s role
China and the European Union have both expressed support for Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing “appreciates Pakistan’s efforts to help de-escalate the situation” and supports its continued mediating role.
“China calls on relevant parties to start peace talks as soon as possible,” she said, adding that Beijing stands ready to coordinate with Pakistan and others to “promote peace and safeguard regional stability.”
#FMsays Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday that China supports Pakistan’s efforts to mediate dialogue between the United States and Iran to end the #MiddleEast conflict. “We appreciate Pakistan’s efforts to promote the easing of the situation and support… pic.twitter.com/YNKj25U7Bo
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) March 30, 2026
Meanwhile, European Council President Antonio Costa also endorsed Pakistan’s efforts during a call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“The EU is gravely concerned over the prolongation of the war and its increasing global impact,” Costa said, adding that the bloc supports all mediation efforts and that “only dialogue and diplomacy can bring peace.”
PM Sharif said he briefed Costa on Pakistan’s mediation efforts, which the EU welcomed and supported. Both leaders agreed that diplomacy must prevail to restore regional stability.
Islamabad: 30 March 2026.
Telephone call between the Prime Minister and the President of the EU CouncilPrime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from H.E. Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, this afternoon.
During their warm and cordial… pic.twitter.com/V1OV32WFoq
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) March 30, 2026
Iran terms US demands excessive
Meanwhile, Iran has confirmed receiving messages from Washington through regional mediators.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the US demands were “unrealistic, illogical and excessive,” according to Reuters.
“Our position is clear. We are under military aggression. Therefore, all our efforts… are focused on defending ourselves,” he said.
He reiterated that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, but said its continued membership of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is under review at the parliamentary level.
