U.S. Envoys Reportedly Engage Iranian Parliament Speaker as Mediation Efforts Intensify

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are reportedly engaged in negotiations with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, according to a report by Axios, as diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing regional conflict gather pace.

The reported talks come amid intensified behind-the-scenes mediation involving regional powers. A U.S. source said Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan have been actively exchanging messages between Washington and Tehran over the past two days.

The source added that foreign ministers from the three countries held separate discussions with Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, noting that mediation efforts are ongoing and making progress, with talks focused on ending the war and resolving outstanding issues.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 15 reported intensive contacts aimed at arranging a meeting between American and Iranian figures in Pakistan, signaling a potential shift toward direct engagement.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the reported talks, saying he had prior knowledge of the contacts and expressing support for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis.

The flurry of diplomatic activity follows an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that he had ordered a five-day delay of planned military strikes targeting Iranian power plants and infrastructure. Trump said the decision came after what he described as “good and constructive” discussions with Iran on a “complete and total resolution of hostilities” in the Middle East.

However, Iranian officials have strongly denied that any negotiations have taken place. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said recent statements by Trump were aimed at lowering energy prices and buying time for military planning, reiterating that Tehran rejects any form of negotiations before achieving its objectives in the war.

Iranian state media also quoted a source as saying there had been no direct or indirect contact with the United States, while warning that any attack on Iranian infrastructure would be met with reciprocal strikes on energy facilities across the region.