US President Donald Trump's unexpected claim this week that talks with Iran were yielding great progress came at a time of increased strikes and further threats of escalation across the region, with Washington's goals in the war still not fully clear.
A chorus of Iranian leadership figures have so far denied any negotiations were taking place, pledging to fight "until complete victory." Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey and Gulf nations are reportedly trying behind the scenes to organise talks, but their efforts still seem preliminary.
