US President Donald Trump stated he’ll lengthen a brief pause on assaults concentrating on Iran’s power infrastructure into April, expressing optimism that negotiations with Tehran are progressing “very properly.” Nonetheless, an Iranian official dismissed a US proposal to finish the battle as “one-sided and unfair.”
The battle, now in its fourth week, has expanded throughout the Center East, leading to hundreds of casualties and vital financial disruption. International power markets have been closely affected, with oil costs surging by round 40%, liquefied pure fuel prices rising sharply, and fertilizer costs growing by roughly 50%, elevating issues about inflation and meals safety.
The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28 after negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program failed. Since then, either side have continued navy actions regardless of intermittent pauses.
Trump acknowledged on his platform, Fact Social, that discussions are ongoing and progressing positively, criticizing what he known as “inaccurate” media stories. In distinction, Iranian officers denied that any direct talks with Washington are going down.
Earlier, Trump had introduced a five-day halt on strikes in opposition to power services, which has now been prolonged to 10 days following what he described as a request from Iran for an extended pause.
In the meantime, the battle has disrupted international transport routes. Iran has successfully blocked gasoline exports by way of the Strait of Hormuz, a important passage chargeable for about 20% of world oil and LNG shipments.
As a part of a proposed 15-point peace plan, Trump recommended Iran enable 10 oil tankers to cross by way of the strait as a goodwill gesture. Iran rejected the proposal, arguing that it primarily advantages US and Israeli pursuits.
Trump warned that failure to adjust to US calls for together with reopening the strait and dismantling Iran’s nuclear program would result in extreme penalties, stating the US might develop into Iran’s “worst nightmare.” He additionally hinted at the potential for taking management of Iran’s oil sources, though he supplied no specifics.
Based on The Wall Road Journal, the Pentagon is contemplating deploying as much as 10,000 extra troops and has already launched unmanned drone speedboats for patrol operations within the area.
Iran, for its half, has taken a firmer stance, demanding ensures in opposition to future assaults, compensation for damages, and formal management over the Strait of Hormuz.
Hostilities proceed, with Iran launching a number of missile strikes concentrating on Israeli cities equivalent to Tel Aviv and Haifa, in addition to different areas, together with a Palestinian city in central Israel.
15-point plan
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday confirmed that the White Home has despatched a 15-point plan to Tehran through Pakistan in an try to finish the battle with Iran.
“I can report back to you at present that we’ve got, alongside along with your foreign-policy workforce, offered a 15-point motion record that kinds the framework for a peace deal. This has been circulated by way of the Pakistani authorities, appearing because the mediator,” Witkoff advised Trump at a cupboard assembly on the White Home.
The plan has “resulted in robust and optimistic messaging and talks,” stated Witkoff.
‘Oblique talks underway’
Additionally on Thursday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Overseas Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar stated that the US-Iran “oblique talks” are going down by way of messages being relayed by Pakistan.
“On this context, america has shared 15 factors, being deliberated upon by Iran, brotherly international locations of Turkey and Egypt, amongst others, are additionally extending their assist to this initiative,” the minister stated in a publish on the social media platform X.
There was pointless hypothesis within the media relating to peace talks to finish the continued battle within the Center East. In actuality, US-Iran oblique talks are going down by way of messages being relayed by Pakistan. On this context, america has shared 15 factors, being…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) March 26, 2026
He stated that Pakistan remained totally dedicated to selling peace and continues to make each effort to make sure stability within the area and past.
Gulf resorts
Araghchi warned resorts in Gulf Arab international locations in opposition to accepting US navy personnel, accusing the troopers of fleeing their bases and utilizing civilian websites as cowl.
“From the outset of this battle, US troopers fled navy bases within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) to cover in resorts and places of work. They use GCC residents as human shields,” Araghchi wrote on social media platform X.
From the outset of this battle, US troopers fled navy bases in GCC to cover in resorts and places of work. They use GCC residents as human protect.
Motels in US deny bookings to officers who might endanger clients. GCC resorts ought to do the identical. pic.twitter.com/U2U4je0059
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 26, 2026
He in contrast the state of affairs to resorts in america, which he claimed denied bookings to officers who might endanger clients, and urged Gulf resorts to undertake the identical follow.
