Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei has described U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim about possible diplomatic talks with Iran as ‘unreliable’. In an interview with India Today published on March 25, 2026, Baghaei stated that several countries have approached Iran with mediation proposals, but Tehran remains firm on defending itself.

Baghaei questioned Washington’s sincerity in seeking a peaceful resolution, pointing to what he described as continuous bombings and missile strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. He argued that such actions undermine any credibility in U.S. claims of diplomacy or mediation.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions and uncertainty surrounding potential ceasefire efforts between Iran and the United States, with reports of mediation attempts involving Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt.

Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger has stated that Iran is currently in a strategically advantageous position in its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. In an interview with The Economist podcast published on March 25, 2026, Younger said the United States failed to properly assess the complexity of the war and lost the initiative to Iran about two weeks earlier.

He explained that Iran has shown greater resilience than expected, having taken early steps to disperse its military assets and decentralize decision-making on weapons use. These measures, according to Younger, have strengthened Iran’s defensive capacity even under heavy airstrikes.

Younger also noted that some remarks by former US President Donald Trump reinforced Iran’s perception of the conflict as a “civilizational” or “existential” struggle. The comments were reported by Middle East Eye.

The Israeli Defense Forces claimed on Tuesday that they carried out a large-scale attack on an underwater research center in the Iranian city of Isfahan. According to the Israeli statement, the facility is the country’s only site involved in submarine production and naval support operations. Iran has not yet issued any comment regarding the reported strike.

Earlier, BBC Verify reported that an airstrike in Isfahan had damaged a multistory building and nearby shops, though it remained unclear whether that incident was linked to the same attack mentioned by Israel. The report did not confirm the extent of the damage or any casualties.

The situation adds to regional tensions, but no immediate response or confirmation from Iranian authorities was available at the time of reporting.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, that more than 85,000 civilian structures in Iran have been damaged since the start of joint US-Israeli military operations at the end of February. According to the organization’s head, Pirhossein Kolivand, a total of 85,176 sites were affected, including 64,583 residential buildings and 19,690 commercial establishments.

Kolivand stated that Tehran suffered the most severe damage, with 282 medical centers and 600 educational institutions hit during the attacks. He asserted that these strikes should be considered war crimes under the Geneva Conventions. The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran, prompting retaliatory drone and missile strikes by Iran on Israeli and US bases in the Middle East.

The Red Crescent also reported that more than 1,340 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the joint military operation, highlighting the escalating humanitarian toll of the conflict.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that US troops may be deceived by what he described as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plot. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf said Tehran is closely monitoring all US movements in the region, particularly troop deployments, and cautioned against testing Iran’s resolve to defend its territory.

According to the Associated Press, the United States is deploying more than 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, along with two Marine units, bringing the total presence to about 5,000 Marines and several thousand naval personnel. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that since the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28, Israel’s military has carried out over 15,000 bombings in Iran, four times more than during a 12-day conflict last June.

Katz, speaking alongside Israel’s army chief Yaal Zamir, added that Tel Aviv has approved new targets for attacks in Iran and Lebanon, signaling a potential escalation in the conflict.

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry reported that 39 people were arrested in a raid in Tehran, where authorities seized a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and at least seven Starlink devices, according to Al Jazeera. The confiscated items included 49 homemade bombs, two Kalashnikov rifles, 16 pistols, 50 magazines, and more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition.

The arrests come as Iran continues to face a nationwide internet blackout, now lasting 26 days, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. The government has intensified surveillance and enforcement measures in response to ongoing internal unrest and security challenges.

The ministry’s actions reflect heightened domestic security operations amid persistent instability, with authorities maintaining strict control over communications and public activity.

A Thai oil tanker has safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz with Iran’s permission following diplomatic communication between Thailand and Iran, according to Bangchak Corporation. The company confirmed that the vessel passed through the strategic waterway without incident after both governments engaged in discussions to ensure safe passage.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangket told reporters that he had requested Iran’s assistance to guarantee the safety of Thai vessels using the strait. He added that Iran responded positively, promising to consider the request and asking for details about which ships would transit the route.

The Strait of Hormuz carries nearly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and gas. The route had been largely disrupted since February 28, when U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran led to a near shutdown of the passage. Reports now indicate that limited tanker movement has resumed under Iranian approval.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran is closely monitoring the movements of US military forces in the region, particularly troop deployments. In a social media post, he warned against testing Iran’s determination to defend its territory.

According to CBS News, a partner of the BBC in the United States, the Pentagon is preparing to send troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the region, including infantry units and a command element. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Trump administration once viewed Ghalibaf as a potential ally and possible future leader of Iran.

The statements come amid heightened regional tensions, with both Iran and the United States signaling vigilance over military activities in the Middle East.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) detained a Pakistani oil tanker named ‘Selen’ in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement posted on social media. The vessel, flying Pakistan’s flag, was traveling from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi when it was stopped for entering the area without prior authorization from Iranian maritime authorities. After initial questioning of the captain and crew, the ship was released but instructed to avoid the strait and take an alternative route.

The incident occurred as Pakistan has been acting as a mediator between the United States and Iran to ease ongoing tensions. The IRGC stated that the order to halt and redirect the vessel was due to “legal violations” and the failure to obtain necessary clearance. It emphasized that all ships must secure permission from Iranian maritime authorities before passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The episode highlights the sensitivity of navigation rules in the strategic waterway during a period of diplomatic engagement involving Pakistan, Iran, and the United States.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his firm stance against what he called the 'aggressive Zionist regime.' Pezeshkian described Turkey’s position as commendable and said Ankara plays an important role in maintaining unity within the Muslim world.

Earlier, Harun Armagan, vice chairman for foreign affairs of Turkey’s ruling AK Party, told Reuters that Ankara has been facilitating message exchanges between Tehran and Washington. According to him, the main goal of these communications is to reduce tensions between the two countries and pave the way for direct talks.

Turkey maintains good relations with both the United States and Iran. Leveraging this position, Ankara is reportedly working with several other nations to present itself as a potential mediator in regional diplomacy.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran launched 100 missiles toward the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, describing the incident during a White House address. He claimed all 101 missiles were intercepted. The footage released reportedly showed multiple cruise missiles being fired from Iran’s coast toward the sea, where the carrier was deployed in the Arabian Sea under Operation Epic Fury.

Iran, meanwhile, issued a renewed warning that it would target the USS Abraham Lincoln if given the opportunity. The country also announced missile strikes on U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain. These attacks occurred as the Trump administration sent a 15-point peace proposal to Tehran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

The developments highlight a sharp escalation in hostilities between Washington and Tehran, with regional security and energy stability increasingly at risk according to the report.

Iran issued a stern warning to the United States, urging Washington not to describe its defeat as an agreement. The statement came from Ebrahim Zulfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, who said that the military power once boasted by the United States has now turned into a strategic failure. He added that if the self-proclaimed global superpower could have escaped this situation, it would have done so already.

The warning followed a claim by former U.S. President Donald Trump on social media platform Truth Social that constructive discussions had taken place between the United States and Iran over the past two days amid the ongoing war. Tehran, however, denied any formal communication with Washington. Zulfaqari further declared that the era of promises is over and that the world now stands divided between truth and falsehood, asserting that those who support freedom will not be misled by propaganda.

The exchange reflects heightened tensions between the two countries, with both sides issuing conflicting statements about diplomatic engagement and the broader conflict.

Pakistan has conveyed a United States ceasefire proposal to Iran, according to senior sources in Islamabad cited by Al Jazeera. Reporter Osama Bin Javaid confirmed that Pakistani officials presented a document from the Trump administration to Iranian representatives and are now awaiting a response. Reports also suggest that officials from the United States and Iran may hold a meeting in Islamabad within the next few days.

The development follows repeated claims by US President Donald Trump that discussions with Iran to end ongoing hostilities are underway. However, Iranian authorities have maintained that no such talks have taken place so far. The situation unfolds amid heightened regional tensions, including Israel’s claim of killing an IRGC naval commander and Iran’s assertion of striking an Israeli nuclear facility.

The ongoing conflict has already disrupted energy supplies, severely affecting daily life across Asia, according to the source report.

Israel has claimed that more than 15,000 bombs have been dropped on Iran since the start of a joint US-Israel offensive. According to Al Jazeera, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the operation began on February 28 and that Israeli forces have now surpassed the use of 15,000 weapons. Katz said this figure is four times higher than during a 12-day conflict in June of the previous year.

During a joint briefing with Israel’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Katz added that new targets in Iran and Lebanon have been approved for further strikes. The statement underscores the scale and intensity of the ongoing military campaign against Iran.

The report also mentioned that the conflict has contributed to a fuel crisis affecting daily life across Asia, highlighting the broader regional impact of the Iran war.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly sent a 15-point peace proposal to Iran seeking to end ongoing hostilities. Although the full list has not been officially released, U.S. and Israeli media have disclosed several key conditions. According to Israel’s Channel 12, the plan’s main objective is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and reduce its regional influence. The conditions include closing and destroying nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, ensuring full IAEA oversight, halting support for armed proxy groups, and committing never to pursue nuclear weapons. Iran would also need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as a free maritime zone and limit its missile range to defensive purposes.

In return, the United States would assist Iran in developing a civilian nuclear project in Bushehr for electricity generation, lift all economic sanctions, and guarantee no future sanctions. Reports suggest a one-month ceasefire could be implemented during negotiations. However, neither the White House nor the Iranian government has made any official comment on the proposal or the potential ceasefire.

The report, citing BBC sources, indicates that discussions are ongoing, but the timeline and Iran’s response remain unclear.