US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that talks between the US and Iran had reached “major points of agreement” as part of a 15-point proposal to end the war in the Middle East. The sudden turnabout comes after warnings from Gulf allies that attacking civilian power sites in Iran could lead to disastrous escalation.
According to sources, multiple countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Oman, are involved in mediating a deal between the US and Iran. Pakistan has developed a strong relationship with the Trump administration over the last year and is hosting talks between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian officials.
Trump claimed that the US had shared a list of expectations with Iran via Pakistan, but it’s unclear whether Iran has agreed to any of the terms. The proposal includes limits on Tehran’s defense capabilities, a cessation of support for proxies, and an acknowledgment of Israel’s right to exist.
However, Tehran denies any talks and claims Trump backed down from his threat because he was afraid of Iranian retaliation. The US administration refused to elaborate on the discussions, citing sensitive diplomatic discussions that should not be negotiated through the press.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the talks, Trump remains optimistic about a quick resolution. “You have to understand, my whole life has been a negotiation,” he said in Memphis. “But with Iran, we’ve been negotiating for a long time. And this time, they mean business.”
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/23/politics/trump-shift-iran-talks