In an interview published Monday, Trump said the United States was in talks with Qalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guard commander. Qalibaf denied the assertion in a statement, saying Washington was “promoting desires as news while threatening our nation at the same time.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also dismissed the claim. Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said no negotiations had taken place, though he confirmed that intermediaries had conveyed proposals to Tehran.

Baghaei said Iran would not overlook what he described as past breaches of diplomacy, referring to indirect talks in 2025 and early 2026 that were followed by military action involving the United States and Israel.

War pressure shapes diplomacy claimsThe exchange comes as Trump has increased pressure on Tehran to reach an agreement to end the ongoing conflict, now in its fifth week following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes launched in late February.

Trump warned that failure to reach a deal “shortly” could result in widespread destruction of Iran’s energy infrastructure and critical facilities, including desalination plants.

Qalibaf’s role under scrutinyQalibaf, long viewed as a pragmatic conservative within Iran’s political system, has previously been mentioned as a potential interlocutor for Western governments.

However, questions remain about his authority within Iran’s complex power structure following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a February airstrike.His successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, is believed to maintain ties with Qalibaf, though competing centers of power within Iran’s leadership continue to shape decision-making.

Analysts say references to Qalibaf as a negotiating channel may reflect both external pressure tactics and internal political maneuvering, as Tehran navigates wartime conditions and diplomatic isolation.

Witkoff, speaking during a cabinet meeting, confirmed for the first time that the United States had passed the proposal via Pakistan, which is facilitating indirect communication between the two sides.

He said the effort sought to present Iran with what he described as a critical juncture, warning that failure to engage could lead to further escalation.

Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul said the United States and Iran had already held indirect contacts and were preparing for a potential face-to-face meeting. He told Deutschlandfunk radio that such a meeting could take place “very soon” in Pakistan, though no official date was disclosed.

Pakistan’s role as a conduit underscores the absence of direct diplomatic ties between Washington and Tehran, with both sides relying on intermediaries to exchange proposals amid heightened regional tensions.

lAccording to the details outlined by Witkoff, the U.S. proposal includes stringent conditions on Iran’s nuclear activities. These include a prohibition on weaponization, dismantling of the Fordow nuclear facility, cessation of uranium enrichment, a ban on stockpiling nuclear material, and the transfer of enriched uranium to the United States.

Iranian authorities are currently reviewing the proposal, though no formal response has been announced.

The diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of an ongoing Middle East conflict that has drawn in multiple regional actors and intensified scrutiny of Iran’s military and nuclear posture. U.S. officials have framed the proposal as part of a broader effort to reduce hostilities and prevent further destabilization.

Witkoff said the outcome would depend on whether Tehran views the current moment as an opportunity to shift course, adding that discussions remain at a preliminary stage.

The announcement comes amid a four-week conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran that has killed thousands and disrupted global energy markets, driving up oil and liquefied natural gas prices and intensifying inflation concerns worldwide.

Deadline extended amid conflicting claimsTrump said talks with Iran were “going very well” and announced a 10-day pause on threatened attacks on Iranian energy facilities, extending an earlier five-day halt declared on March 23.

The pause is set to expire on April 6 at 2000 EDT.Iran, however, said it was not engaged in direct talks with Washington, and officials indicated the U.S. had not clarified who it was negotiating with, as senior Iranian leadership has been significantly affected by the conflict.

Mediators cited by the Wall Street Journal said Tehran had not requested the 10-day pause, while Trump told Fox News that Iran had sought a shorter, seven-day reprieve. There was no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities.

The conflict has sharply disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery carrying roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas. Oil prices have surged about 40% since hostilities began, with Brent crude rising above $105 per barrel.

Iran has warned it would retaliate against energy infrastructure in the Gulf if U.S. strikes proceed, raising concerns about tit-for-tat attacks on civilian facilities that could further destabilize energy markets and regional economies.Global equities have also come under pressure, with major indexes declining amid uncertainty over the conflict’s trajectory.

The Pentagon is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East, according to U.S. media reports, while also confirming the use of uncrewed drone speedboats in operations against Iran.

Trump reiterated that the United States could escalate pressure if Iran fails to comply with demands, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and curbing its nuclear programme, and said control of Iran’s oil resources remained an option without elaborating.

An Iranian official said a 15-point U.S. proposal conveyed through Pakistan was reviewed by senior leadership and deemed unacceptable as it primarily served U.S. and Israeli interests.

The proposal reportedly included demands to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme, limit missile capabilities and alter control over key waterways.

Pakistan’s foreign minister said indirect communication channels remain open, with Turkey and Egypt also involved in mediation efforts.Iran has hardened its negotiating stance, seeking guarantees against future military action, compensation for war damage and greater control over maritime routes, while also insisting that Lebanon be included in any ceasefire framework.

Meanwhile, hostilities continued on multiple fronts, with Iran launching missile strikes on Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa, and Israeli strikes hitting targets in southern and central Iran, resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.