The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is entering a delicate phase, as the United States claims Iran is secretly seeking a negotiated settlement while publicly denying any interest in talks. The situation remains volatile as attacks continue across the region.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted on Thursday, March 26, 2026, that Iranian leaders are “afraid” to acknowledge they are engaging in negotiations with the United States. Trump suggested Iranian officials fear retribution from their own people if such talks were to turn into public. He later indicated uncertainty about the U.S.’s willingness to reach an agreement with Tehran.
“They are negotiating, and they really want to make a deal. But they are afraid to admit it. They think their own people will kill them,” Trump said, according to the Associated Press. “They’re also afraid we’ll kill them,” he added. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote that Iran is “begging” for a deal with the United States.
These comments followed a statement from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who stated on Wednesday that Tehran has “no intention” of negotiating with Washington. “The Islamic Republic wants to finish the war on its own terms – so that it never happens again,” Araghchi said.
Trump later said he wasn’t sure if the United States was prepared to strike a deal with Iran, according to reports from news agencies. He described Iranian negotiators as “very different and strange” during a cabinet meeting in Washington. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the U.S. Had sent a 15-point peace plan to Iran, suggesting a significant opportunity for a resolution exists.
The development underscores growing regional tensions and the complexities of finding a diplomatic solution to the escalating conflict.
Some media outlets reported that Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, was in contact with American negotiators to discuss potential ways to end the current conflict, but Qalibaf dismissed these reports as untrue. Trump has repeatedly claimed the U.S. Is in talks with Iran, assertions that have been consistently denied by various Iranian officials.
“Notice reportedly exchanges of messages happening right now through intermediaries in Pakistan. Pakistani diplomacy then stated that it is cooperating with Turkey and Egypt on this. Those are three countries that came together for this purpose at a recent summit in Saudi Arabia, where they agreed to strive to act as joint mediators in negotiations for a ceasefire,” reported Andreas Papadopulos of Czech Television on Thursday.
Proposed Peace Plan
The United States reportedly delivered a 15-point plan for ending the war to Iran via Pakistan this week. The plan includes demands such as a halt to Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, a cessation of funding for pro-Iranian armed groups in the region, and the establishment of a free maritime zone in the Strait of Hormuz.
Witkoff affirmed that the U.S. Had presented the 15-point plan to Iran, stating it could serve as a framework for a peace agreement. Washington aims to convince Tehran that there is no viable alternative to the proposal.
Trump also criticized NATO for inaction regarding the critical strait, stating, “NATO states have done absolutely nothing to help with the crazy, now militarily destroyed Iran. The United States doesn’t need NATO, but will never forget this very important moment.”
“Iran delivered a formal response to the United States’ 15-point plan through intermediaries overnight,” Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, reported, citing a source. According to the report, Tehran is now awaiting a response from Washington. Another Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran’s response, delivered through Pakistan, indicated the plan did not meet minimum requirements for success. The source said Iran views the proposal as one-sided and believes it serves only American and Israeli interests.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that the U.S. Is “very close” to achieving the main objectives of Operation Epic Fury.
“President Trump and the Department of War estimated from the start that completing this critical mission would grab approximately four to six weeks. After twenty-five days, the greatest army the world has ever known is on track and performing exceptionally,” Leavitt said at a press conference, adding that the original timeline for the operation was estimated at four to six weeks.
The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, igniting a regional war. In retaliation, Tehran and its allies began attacking Israel, U.S. Military installations in the Middle East, and civilian targets, including oil infrastructure in neighboring Arab countries, with drones, ballistic missiles, and rockets.
