Trump ‘pretty sure’ of Iran deal, but can Pakistan-led efforts end the war?

Al Jazeera
March 30, 2026
3 min read

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Pakistan-led diplomatic team facilitates U.S.-Iran talks as Trump expresses confidence about reaching a deal.

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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt have established a backchannel diplomatic team to facilitate talks between the United States and Iran, as President Trump expressed confidence about reaching an agreement with Tehran. The four-nation effort comes amid broader efforts to resolve regional tensions and potentially address the long-standing hostility between Washington and Iran over nuclear programs and other security concerns. Trump's optimism signals the White House may be open to direct negotiations, marking a potential shift in U.S.-Iran relations after years of sanctions and diplomatic standoff. The involvement of key Middle Eastern powers suggests an attempt to use regional intermediaries to bridge gaps that direct talks have historically failed to overcome. Success would require both sides to compromise on issues that have repeatedly derailed previous diplomatic efforts.

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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt established a backchannel diplomatic team to facilitate negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

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