New Delhi, Mar 24: The West Asia conflict entered its 25th day with renewed intensity as fresh strikes were reported in eastern Tehran, even as fragile and conflicting diplomatic signals continued to emerge between the United States and Iran.
Explosions were reported in parts of the Iranian capital, with local media indicating that air defence systems had been activated in eastern Tehran. The escalation comes a day after Israel confirmed carrying out a “wide wave of airstrikes” targeting what it described as “regime infrastructure” in Tehran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled continued military action following a call with US President Donald Trump, stating, “We are crushing the missile programme and the nuclear programme… We will safeguard our vital interests in any scenario.” Meanwhile international media reported Iran’s continuing attacks of missiles and drones across Gulf countries.
Even as Washington has temporarily held back from targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, the broader military campaign remains active. The US Central Command said it continues to “aggressively strike Iranian military targets with precision munitions,” highlighting that the pause applies only to specific categories of targets. US President Trump had earlier announced a five-day suspension of strikes on Iranian power plants following what he described as “productive” conversations with Tehran.
Confusion over talks
Despite these claims, there is no clarity on whether formal negotiations are underway. Iranian officials have publicly denied substantive talks, even as a senior official acknowledged that Tehran had received “points from the US through mediators” for review. The White House has also struck a cautious note, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the situation remains “fluid” and warning against speculation.
Diplomatic backchannels appear active, with countries such as Pakistan, Turkey and Oman attempting to mediate. Islamabad has reportedly offered to host talks, potentially involving US Vice President JD Vance, though no meeting has been confirmed.
On the ground, hostilities continue across multiple fronts. Iran launched fresh waves of missiles targeting central Israel, causing damage in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes were reported in Beirut, while evacuation warnings were issued in the south ahead of further operations against Hezbollah positions. The widening conflict highlights the presence of multiple actors with divergent objectives, complicating any pathway to de-escalation.
Markets reacted sharply to shifting signals. Oil prices, which had fallen on hopes of diplomatic progress, rebounded above $100 per barrel amid renewed uncertainty. Analysts say volatility is being driven as much by conflicting political messaging as by developments on the battlefield.
Pakistan’s emergence as a potential mediator reflects a complex geopolitical balancing act. Islamabad has historically maintained close ties with Iran and had earlier condemned strikes on Iranian territory. At the same time, its current leadership, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir is seen as maintaining close engagement with Washington. Pakistan also retains deep strategic ties with Saudi Arabia, making its role both critical and delicate, particularly as it faces internal economic pressures and regional tensions with neighbours.
Trust deficit remains
Despite tentative diplomatic signals, mistrust continues to dominate. Iranian lawmakers have warned against engaging with Washington, citing past instances where negotiations coincided with military escalation.
At the centre of the crisis remains the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint and Iran’s key leverage point. While talks may be inching forward through intermediaries, analysts caution that the gap between exploratory contacts and a meaningful resolution remains wide. For now, as strikes intensify and diplomacy struggles to gain traction, the conflict shows little sign of an imminent breakthrough.
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