Egypt joins Türkiye and Pakistan in push to mediate Iran–US talks, but no breakthrough yet

Egypt, Türkiye, and Pakistan are mediating between Iran and the US after weekend talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff yielded no breakthrough. Iran has rejected a temporary ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, insisting on an end to regional conflict. Mediators aim to build confidence measures before US President Trump’s Tuesday deadline, while ongoing strikes by the US and Israel and Iran’s retaliation continue to disrupt the Strait and global oil markets.

The foreign ministers of Egypt, Türkiye, and Pakistan are actively working to facilitate a dialogue between Iran and the United States, according to reports from several American media outlets on Sunday. Over the past weekend, the three foreign ministers conducted separate phone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff. Despite these efforts, no significant breakthrough or resolution was achieved, as reported by the Wall Street Journal and Axios.
Axios, citing two sources directly involved in the negotiations, revealed that the discussions are being conducted through multiple channels, including Pakistani, Egyptian, and Turkish intermediaries. Additionally, text messages exchanged between Trump’s advisers and Araghchi are being used as part of the communication process. Araghchi has previously emphasized that these contacts with the US do not constitute formal negotiations but are limited to exchanging messages, either directly or through regional mediators.
Iranian officials have so far refused to soften their stance or compromise on key demands. A proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire was firmly rejected, according to the Journal. The Iranian foreign minister stated on Tuesday that the country is not seeking a temporary halt to hostilities but is demanding a complete end to the war across the region, signaling a firm position that complicates diplomatic efforts.
The mediators are attempting to develop a comprehensive package of confidence-building measures that could help extend US President Donald Trump’s set deadline and potentially bring both sides closer to a direct meeting. Trump has set Tuesday evening, US time, as a strict deadline, warning that Iran would face the destruction of every power plant and major facility in the country if the strait remains closed.
Since February 28, the United States and Israel have carried out a series of strikes against Iran, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes across the region while imposing restrictions on movement through the Strait of Hormuz. These actions have disrupted roughly 20 million barrels of daily oil traffic, creating significant uncertainty in global energy markets and raising concerns among international stakeholders about the stability of oil supplies and regional security.
The ongoing tension highlights the fragility of diplomatic efforts and the high stakes involved for both regional and global security. Analysts note that without a compromise or meaningful engagement, the situation could escalate further, with serious economic and geopolitical consequences that extend far beyond the immediate region.