Pakistan is making urgent preparations for US-Iran talks: is this a glimmer of hope for peace or just a delaying tactic?
2026-03-30 14:05:27
The conflict between the United States and Iran has lasted for a month, with diplomatic efforts and military pressure coexisting. US President Trump has signaled relative optimism, while Pakistan, acting as an intermediary, is actively pushing for substantive talks. Meanwhile, Israel continues to escalate its airstrikes, and US reinforcements continue to arrive in the region, leaving the situation fraught with uncertainty.
These latest developments have led to different interpretations of the conflict's trajectory, with some expressing hope for peaceful negotiations while others carrying the risk of military confrontation.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States has been in “direct and indirect” contact with Iran. He believes that the US has achieved regime change in Tehran after the airstrikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and other high-ranking officials, but the new leader seems to be “relatively rational.”
Trump added, "I think we'll make a deal with them, I'm pretty sure, but it's also possible we won't." He made these remarks to reporters as he returned to Washington on Air Force One.
Pakistan, acting as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington, is preparing to host “substantive talks” in the coming days aimed at ending the month-long conflict.
Following the regional foreign ministers' meeting, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the participants discussed possible pathways to an early and permanent end to the conflict in the region, as well as the possibility of a potential US-Iran summit in Islamabad. Dar added, "Pakistan will be honored to host and facilitate substantive talks between the two sides in the coming days to achieve a comprehensive and lasting solution to the current conflict." It remains unclear whether the United States and Iran have agreed to attend the talks.
Iran's stance remains firm. Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf accused the United States of signaling a possible negotiation while simultaneously planning a ground offensive.
In his address to the nation, he stated, "As long as the Americans attempt to force Iran to surrender, our response will be to never accept humiliation."
Kalibaf added that Tehran is prepared to respond if U.S. troops deploy ground forces.
The Israeli military said it launched more than 140 airstrikes against central and western Iran, including Tehran, in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday evening, targeting ballistic missile launch sites and storage facilities.
A chemical plant near Beersheba in southern Israel was hit by a missile or missile debris, prompting authorities to warn the public to stay away from the area due to the presence of "hazardous materials."
An Israeli official said that Israel has no intention of reducing its strikes against Iran ahead of possible talks between Washington and Tehran, and will continue to strike what it calls military targets.
The U.S. Department of Defense has deployed thousands of troops to the Middle East, giving Trump the option of a ground offensive. The New York Times reported on Sunday, citing two military officials, that hundreds of special operations personnel have arrived in the region. This comes after thousands of U.S. Marines arrived aboard amphibious assault ships, the first of two waves of reinforcements.
In an interview published in the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump said he wanted to "get Iranian oil" and might seize Kharg Island, Iran's key export hub. Controlling the island would require ground troops.
The pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen joined the conflict on Saturday, launching their first attack on Israel. This increases the likelihood that they may target the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, thereby disrupting this crucial shipping route.
Overall, US President Trump's assessment of Iran's new leader was relatively positive, stating that the two sides are maintaining contact, while Pakistan is working to facilitate substantive talks, providing a diplomatic platform for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, Israel's continued large-scale airstrikes, the ongoing US military reinforcements, and Iran's hardline stance indicate that the risk of military confrontation remains.
The conflict has led to a sharp rise in oil prices, with Brent crude briefly exceeding $119 per barrel, putting inflationary and recessionary pressures on the global economy. Whether the Pakistan-led talks can achieve substantial progress in the coming days will have a significant impact on the direction of the regional situation.
Brent crude oil daily chart source: EasyForex
At 14:04 Beijing time on March 30, Brent crude oil futures for June delivery were trading at $107.36 per barrel.
These latest developments have led to different interpretations of the conflict's trajectory, with some expressing hope for peaceful negotiations while others carrying the risk of military confrontation.
Trump: US and Iran maintain contact; Iran's new leader behaves rationally
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States has been in “direct and indirect” contact with Iran. He believes that the US has achieved regime change in Tehran after the airstrikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and other high-ranking officials, but the new leader seems to be “relatively rational.”
Trump added, "I think we'll make a deal with them, I'm pretty sure, but it's also possible we won't." He made these remarks to reporters as he returned to Washington on Air Force One.
Pakistan is actively preparing to host substantive talks between the US and Iran.
Pakistan, acting as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington, is preparing to host “substantive talks” in the coming days aimed at ending the month-long conflict.
Following the regional foreign ministers' meeting, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the participants discussed possible pathways to an early and permanent end to the conflict in the region, as well as the possibility of a potential US-Iran summit in Islamabad. Dar added, "Pakistan will be honored to host and facilitate substantive talks between the two sides in the coming days to achieve a comprehensive and lasting solution to the current conflict." It remains unclear whether the United States and Iran have agreed to attend the talks.
Iran takes a hard line: It will never accept humiliation.
Iran's stance remains firm. Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf accused the United States of signaling a possible negotiation while simultaneously planning a ground offensive.
In his address to the nation, he stated, "As long as the Americans attempt to force Iran to surrender, our response will be to never accept humiliation."
Kalibaf added that Tehran is prepared to respond if U.S. troops deploy ground forces.
Israel continues its airstrikes and shows no intention of reducing the intensity of its attacks.
The Israeli military said it launched more than 140 airstrikes against central and western Iran, including Tehran, in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday evening, targeting ballistic missile launch sites and storage facilities.
A chemical plant near Beersheba in southern Israel was hit by a missile or missile debris, prompting authorities to warn the public to stay away from the area due to the presence of "hazardous materials."
An Israeli official said that Israel has no intention of reducing its strikes against Iran ahead of possible talks between Washington and Tehran, and will continue to strike what it calls military targets.
US reinforcements continue to arrive, and ground options remain.
The U.S. Department of Defense has deployed thousands of troops to the Middle East, giving Trump the option of a ground offensive. The New York Times reported on Sunday, citing two military officials, that hundreds of special operations personnel have arrived in the region. This comes after thousands of U.S. Marines arrived aboard amphibious assault ships, the first of two waves of reinforcements.
In an interview published in the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump said he wanted to "get Iranian oil" and might seize Kharg Island, Iran's key export hub. Controlling the island would require ground troops.
The Houthi rebels' involvement in the conflict in Yemen has further increased shipping risks.
The pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen joined the conflict on Saturday, launching their first attack on Israel. This increases the likelihood that they may target the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, thereby disrupting this crucial shipping route.
Summarizing the current situation: Diplomatic channels have opened, but military pressure remains.
Overall, US President Trump's assessment of Iran's new leader was relatively positive, stating that the two sides are maintaining contact, while Pakistan is working to facilitate substantive talks, providing a diplomatic platform for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, Israel's continued large-scale airstrikes, the ongoing US military reinforcements, and Iran's hardline stance indicate that the risk of military confrontation remains.
The conflict has led to a sharp rise in oil prices, with Brent crude briefly exceeding $119 per barrel, putting inflationary and recessionary pressures on the global economy. Whether the Pakistan-led talks can achieve substantial progress in the coming days will have a significant impact on the direction of the regional situation.
Brent crude oil daily chart source: EasyForex
At 14:04 Beijing time on March 30, Brent crude oil futures for June delivery were trading at $107.36 per barrel.
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