Diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey have intensified to de-escalate the mounting tensions between the United States and Iran, with US President Donald Trump announcing a temporary suspension of planned military strikes.
The three nations are acting as intermediaries, relaying messages between Washington and Tehran to resolve the burgeoning crisis, Axios reported citing a US source.
On Monday morning, US President Trump stated via his social media platform, Truth Social, that “fruitful discussions” had occurred over the past two days.
Consequently, he has ordered a five-day suspension of potential military strikes on Iranian power plants, citing progress in negotiations regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The breakthrough comes after a period of high volatility. On Saturday, Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, threatening to attack its energy infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened.
Tehran retaliated by threatening to strike energy installations in Israel and other Gulf countries, a move that triggered uncertainty in global energy markets and caused fluctuations in the US stock exchange.
While Washington points to progress, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has officially denied holding any direct talks with the US.
Tehran maintained that all communications are being handled through regional mediators. Iranian officials further alleged that Washington’s current stance is a tactical move to prevent a spike in fuel prices and to gain more time for military preparations.
Behind-the-scenes diplomacy has been rigorous. An anonymous US source revealed that the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey have held separate meetings with White House representative Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
On Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty convened a meeting with representatives from the US, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and Qatar. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the discussions focused on preventing the expansion of the conflict and limiting its regional impact.
Analysts suggest that while direct communication has not been established, this intensive indirect diplomacy serves as a critical pathway toward stabilising the situation.
