On Monday (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump shifted his stance regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran, signaling that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was among the first to advocate for military action against Tehran.
Speaking at a roundtable meeting in Tennessee, Trump remarked, “Pete, I think you were the first person to talk about this, and you said, ‘Let’s do it, because we cannot let them acquire nuclear weapons.'” Hegseth was seated right next to Trump.
Key Updates on the Ongoing Conflict Between the U.S., Israel, and Iran
U.S. President Consults with Senior Officials
Referring to these discussions, the U.S. President stated that he had consulted with senior officials before finalizing the decision to strike Iran. He recounted, “I called Pete, I called General Ken, I called many of my best people… and I said, ‘Let’s talk. We have a problem in the Middle East… they have come very close to acquiring nuclear weapons.'”
Pakistan Seeks to Play the Role of Mediator
Amidst this ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a report by TRT World indicates that Pakistan is now attempting to act as a key mediator in an effort to establish peace between the U.S. and Iran and to facilitate a mutual agreement. Media reports also suggest that Islamabad may host a summit later this week, where the U.S. Vice President and the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament could come together for talks.
Trump Announces a 5-Day Pause in Hostilities
On Monday, Trump announced a five-day pause in the ongoing hostilities with Iran, citing “very good and meaningful conversations” as the reason behind the decision. However, Iranian media reported that attacks continued on Tuesday as well, as Tehran had flatly refused to engage in talks with the US. According to the Tasnim News Agency, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out attacks targeting American and Israeli bases. In the early hours of March 24, the IRGC announced that it had executed the 78th wave of retaliatory strikes under ‘Operation True Promise 4.’
Israel Continues Airstrikes
On Monday, Israel stated that the country’s Air Force had carried out a “major wave of airstrikes,” targeting infrastructure linked to the Tehran regime. According to a BBC report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—just hours after a phone conversation with Trump—declared that Tel Aviv would continue to target Iran and Lebanon; this wave of airstrikes commenced just hours after that very statement.
Iran Targets US and Israel Over Hormuz Dispute
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, has blamed the US and Israel for the “prevailing state of insecurity” in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking with his South Korean counterpart, Araqchi highlighted the ongoing military aggression against the Islamic Republic, stating that the current situation in the region—and the insecurity within the Strait of Hormuz—is a direct consequence of illegal attacks perpetrated against Iran by the US and the Zionist regime.
Masoud Pezeshkian Speaks with Shehbaz Sharif
On Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reiterating the Islamic Republic’s commitment to regional stability and cooperation. Their conversation also touched upon bilateral relations and the consequences of the “illegal war.” During his phone call, Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran did not initiate the war, stating that “the aggressive enemy—without any cause, logic, or legal basis—perpetrated military aggression against Iran during the nuclear negotiations and targeted the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.”
Oil Market Surges Following Iran’s Statement
On Tuesday, crude oil prices rose; this uptick was driven by renewed supply concerns that emerged after Iran dismissed claims regarding talks with the U.S. aimed at resolving the Gulf conflict. This denial stood in contrast to earlier remarks by Trump, in which he had signaled that a potential agreement was imminent.
Brent crude climbed to approximately $104 per barrel, while the U.S. benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), surged by nearly 4%. This gain followed a session in which prices had plummeted by over 10%.
(With agency inputs)