According to Politico, the Trump administration is considering Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf, as a potential new leader of the country.
According to two informants, some American officials view Qalibaf as a capable partner who could lead Iran and negotiate with the United States.
However, Washington is not intending to engage with any specific candidate, the sources clarified. They noted that the U.S. administration is looking for an Iranian politician willing to reach an agreement.
“He is indeed interesting. One of the most influential figures… But we need to study the issue carefully and not rush,” one of the interlocutors said.
The Financial Times reports that Pakistan plays a key role as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran.
According to sources, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, Asim Munir, held talks with Donald Trump on Sunday. It is also reported that senior Pakistani officials are involved in "behind-the-scenes negotiations" between Tehran and representatives of the Trump administration, such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
According to Axios, the U.S. is considering the possibility of occupying the Iranian island of Khark, which is a major center for Iran's oil exports, to pressure Tehran and secure the opening of the Strait of Hormuz for shipping.
Thousands of American Marines are set to arrive in the Middle East on Friday, March 27, coinciding with the final date of Trump's ultimatum regarding the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Donald Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened "very soon" if the U.S. reaches an agreement with Iran during negotiations.
According to him, the strait "will be under joint control, possibly under the control of me and the ayatollah."
However, the issue of closing the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved due to the unpredictable position of the U.S., as noted by a senior Iranian official, according to Al Jazeera.
The source emphasized that Washington "still refuses to accept two key conditions from Tehran — the payment of reparations and public acknowledgment of aggression against Iran." An Iranian official confirmed that Tehran and Washington "exchanged messages through Egypt and Turkey to reduce tensions."
American and Israeli security experts believe that the outcome of the war with Iran will be determined by the struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz and key energy facilities, WP reports.
Restoring the operation of the strait has become a priority, unlike the overthrow of the regime in Iran and the destruction of its nuclear program, which previously seemed more achievable. Weakening Iranian influence in the strait could allow Trump to claim victory and end the escalating global energy crisis, sources emphasize.
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