U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned Iran was determined to make a deal to finish practically 4 weeks of preventing, contradicting the Iranian Overseas Minister who mentioned his nation was reviewing a U.S. proposal however had no intention of holding talks to wind down the battle.
Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned whereas there had been no dialogue or negotiation with the U.S., numerous messages had been exchanged by intermediaries.
Iran-Israel battle LIVE updates
“Messages being conveyed by our pleasant international locations and us responding by stating our positions or issuing the required warnings will not be known as negotiation or dialogue,” Mr. Araghchi mentioned in a state tv interview on Wednesday (March 25, 2026). “It’s merely an trade of messages by our mates.”
Mr. Trump, talking in a while Wednesday (March 25) at an occasion in Washington, mentioned Iranian leaders “are negotiating, by the best way, and so they need to make a deal so badly, however they’re afraid to say it as a result of they are going to be killed by their very own folks. They’re additionally afraid they’ll be killed by us.”
Mr. Trump has not recognized who the U.S. is negotiating with in Iran, with many high-ranking officers among the many hundreds of those who killed throughout the West Asia for the reason that U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 and Iran launched strikes in opposition to Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf states.
Iran’s supreme commander Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the primary day of the battle by an Israeli strike and was changed by his son Mojtaba, who has been wounded in strikes and never been seen in any {photograph} or video clip since his appointment.
Impacts of battle unfold far and broad
The fallout from the battle, which has induced the worst vitality shock in historical past, has unfold far past the area. With the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied pure gasoline, successfully closed, gasoline shortages are occurring across the globe and companies from airways to supermarkets and used automobile sellers are grappling with challenges together with rising prices, weakening demand and disrupted provide chains. Some governments are weighing assist measures final used in the course of the COVID pandemic.
Farmers are struggling to supply diesel for his or her tractors and tens of thousands and thousands extra folks will face acute starvation if the battle continues into June, the World Meals Programme estimates.
A 15-point U.S. proposal to finish the battle, despatched by Pakistan to Iran, requires eradicating Iran’s shares of extremely enriched uranium, halting enrichment, curbing its ballistic missile programme and reducing off funding for regional allies, in response to three Israeli cupboard sources aware of the plan.
The White Home declined to reveal specifics of its proposal and threatened to escalate its strikes.
“In the event that they fail to know that they’ve been defeated militarily, and can proceed to be, President Trump will guarantee they’re hit tougher than they’ve ever been hit earlier than,” White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt advised reporters.
A senior Israeli defence official mentioned Israel was skeptical Iran would comply with the phrases, and that Israel was involved U.S. negotiators would possibly make concessions. Israel additionally needs any settlement to protect its choice to conduct pre-emptive strikes, a second supply mentioned. Moreover, Iran has advised intermediaries that Lebanon have to be included in any ceasefire settlement with the U.S. and Israel, six regional sources aware of Iran’s place mentioned.
Inventory rally fades, oil costs resume rise
Hopes of a decision to the battle that had boosted world inventory markets the earlier session light on Thursday, with oil costs resuming their surge.
“Optimism concerning a ceasefire has light,” mentioned Tsuyoshi Ueno, senior economist at NLI Analysis Institute.
In the meantime, missiles and drones saved hanging targets throughout the Gulf.
Early on Thursday (March 26, 2026), the Israeli army mentioned it had accomplished a wide-scale wave of strikes concentrating on infrastructure in a number of areas throughout Iran, after one other wave of assaults on Wednesday.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the Central Command chief main U.S. forces within the Center East, mentioned the U.S. had hit over 10,000 targets inside Iran and was on monitor to restrict Iran’s capability to mission energy outdoors its borders.
Admiral Cooper mentioned in a video briefing on Wednesday (March 25) that 92% of Iran’s largest naval vessels had been destroyed and that its drone and missile launch charges have been down by greater than 90%. The U.S. and Israel have broken or destroyed two-thirds of Iran’s missile, drone and naval manufacturing amenities and shipyards, Cooper mentioned. The Pentagon is in the meantime planning to ship hundreds of airborne troops to the Gulf to provide Trump extra choices to order a floor assault, sources have advised Reuters, including to 2 contingents of Marines already on their means. The primary Marine unit, aboard an enormous amphibious assault ship, might arrive across the finish of the month. U.N. Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres on Wednesday (March 25) warned: The “world is staring down the barrel of a wider battle” within the area.
“It’s time to cease climbing the escalation ladder – and begin climbing the diplomatic ladder,” he mentioned on the U.N. headquarters in New York.
Printed – March 26, 2026 10:20 am IST