Mediators report progress toward halting U.S.-Iran war
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Mediators made significant progress in efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to negotiations, regional officials said on Monday, as both sides paused attacks after nearly two weeks of escalating hostilities.
Officials said Qatar and Pakistan were working to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran and revive an interim ceasefire arrangement that collapsed following exchanges of fire. A regional official described the mediation efforts as “significant,” according to ABC News, which cited the Associated Press report.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had reached out seeking further discussions, while Iranian officials denied that direct talks were underway.
“We’re having good talks, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters on Monday aboard Air Force One, adding that there was “a good chance” an agreement could be reached.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said mediators could convey messages from Washington but stressed that Tehran was not engaged in direct negotiations with the U.S..
The pause in fighting has lasted three days following a period of sustained U.S. strikes on Iranian coastal areas and infrastructure and Iranian missile and drone attacks on countries hosting U.S. troops. The attacks reportedly killed at least three U.S. service members in Jordan and one in Iraq.
Mediators are also working with Iran and Oman on arrangements for vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route that Tehran says remains closed.
The U.S. military said its naval blockade of Iran continued, with 17 commercial ships redirected, two disabled and two boarded.