Regional mediators push talks as US pauses strikes on Iran

WASHINGTON (MNTV) — Pakistan, Türkiye and Egypt have stepped in to mediate between Washington and Tehran, as the United States temporarily halted planned strikes on Iranian infrastructure following backchannel talks aimed at de-escalation.

US President Donald Trump said he had ordered a five-day pause on planned attacks targeting Iranian power plants, signaling a shift from escalation to tentative diplomacy after weeks of sustained military pressure alongside Israel.

Trump claimed that recent discussions with Iran had been “very productive,” raising the possibility of a broader agreement to end hostilities, even as the war he launched with Israel continues to devastate the region.

According to reports, officials from Pakistan, Türkiye and Egypt held separate meetings with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, focusing on pathways to end the conflict and address unresolved issues. 

Tehran has indicated openness to de-escalation efforts but insists that Washington, as the initiating party in the war, must take direct responsibility in negotiations.

Despite the diplomatic push, the White House has remained vague about the details of the talks, while continuing military coordination with Israel. 

A source familiar with Israeli planning suggested Tel Aviv is likely to follow Washington’s lead in temporarily halting strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

The sudden shift toward talks comes after weeks of aggressive US-Israeli military operations that have killed more than 2,000 people and triggered widespread instability across the Middle East. 

The conflict has severely disrupted global energy markets, driven up fuel prices and intensified fears of a broader economic crisis.

Trump had previously threatened to destroy Iranian power facilities unless Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies. 

Iran responded with warnings of retaliation, including potential strikes on Israeli infrastructure and US-linked targets across the Gulf.

Energy markets reacted sharply to the pause in escalation, with oil prices briefly dropping and global stocks rebounding. 

However, analysts warn that the volatility reflects deeper structural instability caused by the war, particularly as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily restricted.

Experts say the crisis has already surpassed previous global energy shocks in scale, with disruptions affecting supply chains, inflation levels and economic stability worldwide. 

Gulf states, heavily dependent on desalination powered by electricity, face additional risks as threats to energy infrastructure raise concerns about water security.

Meanwhile, US and Israeli strikes have continued across Iran, targeting urban and civilian-linked sites. Iranian reports indicate casualties from attacks on residential areas, while infrastructure damage continues to mount. In response, Iran has escalated threats to mine Gulf waters and expand retaliatory operations across the region.

Missile activity has also intensified, with projectiles launched toward Gulf capitals and interception attempts reported, underscoring the growing risk of a wider regional war.

Despite Washington’s shift toward negotiations, critics argue the move reflects mounting pressure after a failed attempt to force Iranian concessions through military escalation, leaving the region destabilized and global markets shaken.