Unclear who is leading mediation efforts for Middle East peace

Istanbul: Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan have all held talks with the warring parties in recent days. An Egyptian source said the United States and Iran even exchanged messages through Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan over the weekend, AP news agency said.

On Sunday, Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan talked on the phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a conversation which was confirmed by Iran. 

Fidan also talked to US officials and held a series of talks with his Egyptian and European counterparts, media reported. 

Citing a Turkish source, Middle East Eye, a UK-based news site, said that Turkey "is attempting to build a unified front in negotiations to counterbalance Israeli influence, working with European, Gulf, and other regional actors to help end the conflict."

But Turkey's Foreign Ministry has declined to comment on whether the country relayed messages between Iran and the United States in the weekend talks. 

As for Egypt, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said Cairo has delivered "clear messages" to Iran focusing on de-escalating the conflict, according to his office. 

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said it was making “constant efforts and communications” with all parties.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday said he spoke with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Sharif said in a post on X that he "reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to playing a constructive role in advancing peace in the region."

Strikes continue despite reported ceasefire talks
Both sides in the conflict traded strikes on Tuesday, although President Trump had said he held productive talks with Iranian officials.

Smoke was seen rising on the outskirts of Tel Aviv in Israel, and at least 6 Kurdish Peshmerga troops — who have often allied with the US — died in an attack in northern Iraq.

In Iraq's western Anbar provice, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) militia said that at least 14 of its fighters had been killed in a US strike. The PMF is a Shiite group that is sympathetic to Iran.

US officials also clarified early on Tuesday that a promised pause to strikes only applied to energy infrastructure.