President Trump Reveals Diplomatic Breakthrough as Indirect US-Iran Talks Progress via Pakistani Mediation

President Trump suggests a deal with Iran "could happen soon" as indirect talks via Pakistan lead to doubled tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 8:15 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Khaama Press

A Diplomatic Opening Amidst High Tension

In a significant shift in rhetoric, President Donald Trump has informed the Financial Times that an agreement to reduce hostilities with Iran "could happen soon." These remarks suggest that despite weeks of intense military posturing in the Persian Gulf, backchannel communications remain active and productive. The President’s comments provide a rare glimpse into the "dual-track" strategy currently employed by the White House—pairing aggressive military threats with a reliance on regional intermediaries to test the viability of a negotiated settlement.

The Pakistani Pivot: Mediation and Maritime Concessions

The role of Pakistan as a central mediator has become increasingly evident. President Trump pointed to a specific concession from Tehran as evidence of progress: the number of Pakistan-flagged oil tankers allowed to transit the critical Strait of Hormuz has reportedly doubled, rising from 10 to 20 vessels. This move, verified by Pakistani media, is being interpreted by Washington as a calculated "de-escalatory gesture" from the Iranian leadership. In the current crisis, the selective passage of commercial vessels has transformed from a purely logistical matter into a high-stakes diplomatic bargaining tool.

Strategic Threats and the "Oil Control" Doctrine

Despite the optimistic tone regarding negotiations, the President coupled his remarks with renewed warnings. He reiterated a controversial stance that the United States could seek direct control over Iran’s vast oil resources to cripple the state’s financial resilience. Specifically, Trump again raised the possibility of military action against Kharg Island, the terminal responsible for the vast majority of Iran’s crude exports. While acknowledging that such an operation could lead to a prolonged U.S. military presence in the region, the President framed it as a necessary contingency should diplomacy fail.