Backchannel diplomacy involving several mediating countries has reportedly pushed the United States and Iran toward possible peace talks centred on a proposed 15-point agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that negotiations to end the conflict with Iran may be underway after indirect contacts between both sides.
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump said, “We have had very, very strong talks. We’ll see where they lead. We have points, major points of agreement – I would say almost all points of agreement,” signalling potential progress toward de-escalation.
The backchannel discussions reportedly involved Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who were said to be communicating through intermediaries with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker. Countries including Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey reportedly passed messages between both sides while discussions centred on a proposed 15-point peace deal aimed at ending hostilities.
However, Ghalibaf publicly denied that any negotiations had taken place, stating, “No negotiations have been held with the US, and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”
Despite the denial, diplomatic efforts continue as mediators attempt to bring both sides together for formal talks.
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