Pakistan is preparing to host negotiation talks between the United States, Iran and Israel after a month of war marked by military escalation, diplomatic backchannels and competing claims of progress toward a ceasefire. Islamabad has emerged as a potential mediator, even as Iran hardened its rhetoric against possible US ground operations and President Donald Trump claimed negotiations were advancing.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed the proposed talks in Pakistan as a cover following the arrival of around 2,500 US Marines trained in amphibious landings in the Middle East. He accused the United States of sending messages about possible negotiations while simultaneously preparing to deploy troops, adding that Tehran was ready to respond if US soldiers were deployed. At the same time, Donald Trump said Washington was negotiating with Iran both directly and indirectly.
