US Pushes Iran Peace Talks as More Troops Head to the Region
The Trump administration is preparing to deploy additional troops to the Middle East even as it presses for formal talks to end the 25-day conflict that has disrupted global markets.
According to Axios, the US and a group of regional mediators are discussing the possibility of holding high-level peace talks with Iran as soon as Thursday, but they are still awaiting a response from Tehran.
While President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US is refraining from strikes on Iranian energy sites and giving Iran five days to reach a deal, US Marines are heading to the region—raising the prospect of ground operations. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon plans to send a brigade combat team from the Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to support operations, citing two US officials. The White House did not immediately comment on the status of the talks or the potential additional deployment.
On the battlefield, Iran and Israel showed no signs of letting up. Iran turned back a container ship from the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel continued strikes on the Islamic Republic, with Defense Minister Israel Katz saying the campaign would continue “at full intensity.”
Energy markets reacted quickly. Brent climbed back above $104 a barrel after plunging 11% on Monday, as shipping through Hormuz remains constrained. Several Gulf states have signaled they could join the US-Israel campaign if Iran attacks their critical infrastructure, reinforcing fears that the conflict could widen.
Diplomatic maneuvering is also intensifying. Pakistan is pushing to mediate an end to the war, and Trump has reportedly spoken with Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir about the conflict. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan would be “honoured” to help mediate—an offer Trump later shared online without confirming whether he would accept. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said he pressed for peace in a call with Trump that included discussion of Hormuz, a key route for India’s energy imports.
Meanwhile, Iran is reported to have halted natural gas exports to Turkey following Israel’s strike on the giant South Pars gas field last week, highlighting growing risks to regional energy distribution.
Despite talk of diplomacy, mixed and often contradictory statements from US and Iranian officials have fueled confusion over whether negotiations are truly underway—and who is involved. Early indications suggest any talks could be difficult, with no guarantee of a deal, especially as Iran has previously demanded reparations and guarantees against future attacks—terms Washington and Israel are unlikely to accept.
Source : Newsmaker.id
