Iran and US Negotiate Peace Deal Amid Regional Diplomacy

Following a period of intense conflict involving U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities and Iranian retaliatory actions, Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the restoration of internet access across Iran on May 26, ending a blackout that lasted over 87 days. This move coincides with efforts to finalize a peace deal to end hostilities in West Asia. U.S. President Donald Trump extended an existing ceasefire indefinitely on May 23, stating that a war-ending agreement is largely negotiated and awaiting finalization.

Negotiations are currently fragmented across multiple mediation tracks. Qatar and Pakistan have facilitated indirect talks focused on stopping hostilities, while Oman has mediated discussions in Geneva regarding sanctions relief and the Iranian nuclear program. However, significant gaps remain. Ebrahim Azizi, Chairman of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, demanded five confidence-building measures—including the lifting of naval blockades and freezing of assets—as a prerequisite for a deal. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to seek assurances that Iran will dispose of highly enriched uranium.

Regional diplomacy has intensified, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty coordinating with the UAE, Cyprus, and the IAEA to prevent further military escalation. Simultaneously, President Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei conducted outreach to Muslim nations to foster solidarity. While Pezeshkian sought expanded cooperation, Khamenei maintained a confrontational stance toward the U.S., asserting that the region will no longer provide safe havens for American military bases.