Day 25 of Iran war: Diplomatic mixed signals continue as regional strikes and cyber measures escalate

2026-03-24 - 20:41

The conflict between the Iranian regime, the United States, and Israel has entered its 25th day on March 24, 2026, amid a complex web of escalating regional attacks and contradictory diplomatic maneuvers. Following US President Donald Trump’s decision yesterday to delay planned strikes on the regime’s energy infrastructure by five days citing indirect negotiations—a claim Tehran formally denied—the situation remains highly volatile. While yesterday saw intense airstrikes across Tehran and a continuous barrage of regime projectiles targeting Gulf states, today brought new developments. Pakistan has stepped forward to offer mediation between Washington and Tehran, even as the Pentagon prepares further troop deployments to the Middle East. Meanwhile, the Iranian regime’s regional network suffered new blows today, including a deadly strike on proxy forces in Iraq, the expulsion of its appointed ambassador from Lebanon, and drone-related disruptions in Bahrain. Inside Iran, strikes on military infrastructure continue, prompting a reshuffle in the regime’s top security apparatus following the elimination of key figures. Roundup of today’s key events Pakistan’s Prime Minister offered to host talks between the US and the Iranian regime, while President Trump claimed Tehran offered a “very significant prize” related to oil and gas. Several intense explosions were heard in Bahrain, leading to Amazon Web Services (AWS) disruptions and calls for citizens to seek shelter. An airstrike on a Hashd al-Shaabi (PMF) base in western Iraq killed six proxy fighters, including the Anbar province operations commander. Lebanon declared the Iranian regime’s appointed ambassador “persona non grata” and ordered him to leave the country by March 29. Former IRGC commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr was appointed as the regime’s new Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, replacing the dead Ali Larijani. Airstrikes targeted the Sa-Iran (Iran Electronics Industries) optics building in Isfahan. The US State Department formally launched the “Bureau of Emerging Threats” to counter cyberattacks and AI risks from the Iranian regime and other adversaries. Pakistan offers to facilitate U.S.-Iran war talks as Trump, Tehran give mixed signals Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said his country would host talks between the U.S. and Iran’s regime in pursuit of a “comprehensive settlement” of the ongoing war. “Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” he said.