Foreign ministers from Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan gathered in Riyadh to find a diplomatic off-ramp to the war in Iran, but a viable counterpart in Iran was lacking.
After Israel killed Iran's national security chief, Egyptian intelligence officials opened a channel with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and proposed a five-day halt in hostilities to build confidence for a cease-fire.
These discussions laid the groundwork for President Trump's abrupt reversal, embracing diplomacy with Tehran and putting threatened strikes on hold.
Trump's shift followed closed-door discussions through Middle Eastern intermediaries, giving U.S. officials hope for a possible agreement to settle the conflict.
Arab mediators expressed skepticism that the U.S. and Iran could quickly reach an agreement, citing the two sides' significant differences.
The U.S. still wants Iran to dismantle its nuclear work, suspend its ballistic missile program, and stop supporting proxy militias, while Iran demands compensation for damages and a pledge from the U.S. and Israel not to launch future attacks.
A potential meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials is being discussed, with Pakistan or Turkey as possible hosts.
Trump seems prepared to pursue a deal, telling reporters that some Iranian leaders could usher in a better era of U.S.-Iran relations.
