U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is holding 'productive' talks with Iran, though Iranian officials denied the claim, calling it misinformation aimed at easing pressure from rising oil prices. Two senior diplomats told Al Jazeera that Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan have been mediating secret contacts between American and Iranian officials. Experts remain doubtful about the possibility of a ceasefire, noting that Iran seeks not only to end the war but also to secure long-term economic and security guarantees.

Analysts said Iran’s leadership is likely to adopt a tougher stance in any negotiations, despite U.S. and Israeli claims that Iran’s military capacity has been severely damaged. Iran has demonstrated continued missile capability, including strikes on Israeli targets and an attack on Qatar’s main gas facility. Tehran now demands assurances against future attacks and a new regulatory framework for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, where hundreds of ships remain stalled.

Experts warned that Iran is unlikely to relinquish control of the Strait without major concessions, as it views the conflict as having yielded economic leverage. The uncertainty over Iran’s leadership following recent attacks adds complexity to any potential peace talks.