President Trump announced that the United States is negotiating with Iran to end hostilities, even as he threatens military strikes and the Pentagon deploys 2,000 additional paratroopers to the Middle East. The talks come nearly a month after the U.S. and Israel launched their attack on Iran on Feb. 28, drawing in regional countries and triggering an energy crisis worse than the 1970s oil shocks.

Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary, reportedly passing a 15-point U.S. peace plan to Tehran. Trump claims "major points of agreement" exist, though Iran has downplayed the negotiations. The core U.S. demands include ending Iranian nuclear enrichment and securing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has partially controlled, threatening one-fifth of global oil supplies.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance are leading U.S. negotiations, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also involved. On the Iranian side, leadership remains unclear after the U.S.-Israeli assault killed much of Iran's top leadership, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian officials acknowledge receiving American messages but remain suspicious of diplomatic overtures, given past negotiations preceded military strikes.