Mixed Signals on Iran Talks as Pakistan and Arab Nations Try to Broker Calm

25/03/2026

Mixed Signals on Iran Talks as Pakistan and Arab Nations Try to Broker Calm

DUBAI, (AP), Mar 25: U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprising claim this week that talks with Iran were yielding great progress has only raised more confusion over a war whose goals were already unclear. The most basic question: What talks?

Iran denied any negotiations were taking place, pledging to fight “until complete victory.” Pakistan, Egypt and Gulf Arab nations are trying behind the scenes to piece together talks, but their efforts still seem preliminary. Israel is vowing to keep up its attacks.

If anything, the war appears to only be escalating. Barrages were fired into Iran, Israel and across the Mideast on Tuesday, and thousands more U.S. Marines were on their way to the Gulf.

Here is a look at what’s known and not known about possible talks to wind down the war.