After postponing the ultimatum on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by five days, Donald Trump seems to be moving towards de-escalation in the war against Iran. The American president claims that negotiations have begun with the Teheran regime, even though they still seem to be in a preliminary stage.
Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt are playing intermediaries in these discussions. The foreign ministers of the three countries separately met with Abbas Araghchi, their Iranian counterpart, and Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of Donald Trump. The commissioner of the American president, who led discussions on Ukraine and Gaza, is once again at the forefront. Steve Witkoff also had direct exchanges with Abbas Araghchi.
Context: Talks between the United States and Iran are being facilitated by Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt.
Fact Check: Steve Witkoff is representing Donald Trump in negotiations with Iran.
Ghalibaf, “the most powerful man in Iran”
Pakistan has expressed its willingness to host discussions between the United States and Iran. Pakistani diplomacy is working on organizing a summit in Islamabad. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, could meet with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the President of the Iranian Parliament. Ghalibaf’s power within the regime has increased since the assassination of many senior Iranian officials in American and Israeli strikes on Teheran. According to Arash Azizi, a lecturer at Yale University, “He is probably the most powerful man in Iran today. His portfolio overlaps with the military, security, and political functions of the regime.”
Context: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is being seen as a key figure in the negotiations between the US and Iran.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s prominence is enhanced by the absence of the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whose fate remains uncertain. The son and successor of Ali Khamenei has not appeared in public or on video since his appointment, possibly due to injuries sustained in an attack that killed his father. A meeting with J.D. Vance, the American vice president, has also been mentioned but seems highly unlikely.
Context: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is gaining influence in Iran due to the absence of Mojtaba Khamenei.
Fact Check: Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence has raised questions about the future leadership of Iran.
The assets of Pakistan
Pakistan’s role as a mediator can be explained by the close ties its leaders have with the United States since Donald Trump returned to the White House. The country has advantages in playing the role of intermediary. As a neighbor of Iran, it is Muslim and non-Arab and does not host any American military bases. Trump cannot rely on mediation from Gulf countries hosting US bases and facing attacks from Iran. Qatar, which facilitated a ceasefire in Gaza, does not appear willing to offer its services, even though it has not been targeted by the Iranian army since last Thursday.
Context: Pakistan’s geographical and geopolitical position makes it a valuable intermediary in the US-Iran negotiations.
Can these very hypothetical negotiations reduce tension? Despite regime decapitation and military pressure, Iran has been wary due to the failure of previous diplomatic discussions with the United States in 2025 and early 2026. Ali Vaez, director of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group, highlights that “There is still no sight of a ceasefire agreement or a deal addressing long-term issues, such as Iran’s uranium stockpile or the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.” The announcement of talks with Iran also serves another purpose: Donald Trump seeks to buy time and calm the fever that has gripped oil and gas markets.
