King Charles III privately expressed concerns that the United States-Iran conflict, now in its seventh month, is "going backwards," a sentiment shared by a Pakistani diplomat leading negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The monarch met Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan's Interior Minister and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, at Clarence House.
"It's all going backwards," King Charles told Naqvi, who was leading a delegation of the Pakistan cricket team. Naqvi, who has been attempting to broker a peace deal between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, acknowledged the challenges, stating, "Yes, it is a story of one step forward and one step back." He described the US-Iran talks as "one of the most difficult" he has been involved in.
The conversation was inadvertently captured by a microphone from Pakistan's Geo News. Naqvi later characterized his meeting with the King as "very productive," noting Charles's acknowledgment of Pakistan's efforts toward peace and security in the Middle East. The King also received a signed cricket bat from the team, who are currently playing a series against England.
Concurrently, President Donald Trump is reportedly engaged in private discussions with senior aides about the possibility of declaring the war with Iran over. Officials cited by The Wall Street Journal suggest the President believes that sustained economic pressure on Tehran will eventually compel the regime to dismantle its nuclear program or collapse.
However, Trump's advisors have reportedly warned that further escalation of the conflict could negatively impact Republican prospects in the upcoming November midterm elections. Despite these concerns, the President has stated he is not considering electoral consequences when making decisions about the war. Speaking to reporters, Trump indicated the U.S. military remains prepared for further strikes, emphasizing U.S. surveillance capabilities. He also posted on social media, asserting a strong U.S. position with "almost total control of the Hormuz Strait" and a collapsing Iranian economy.
The conflict has seen a recent increase in hostilities after a lull of over a month. Iran has continued to attack U.S. military bases in Kuwait, which Iranian state television stated was in retaliation for U.S. actions. U.S. Central Command reported conducting strikes against Iranian military targets, including air defense sites and radar systems, in response to Tehran's attempts to target commercial ships and American forces.
Earlier this week, the U.S. struck Iranian rocket launchers near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by firing missiles at American bases in Jordan, and drones at Kuwait, all of which were intercepted. Bahrain also reported intercepting an Iranian aerial attack. The United Arab Emirates stated it had intercepted an Iranian drone over its waters.
During the recent exchanges, a U.S. strike reportedly hit a wedding venue in Iran, resulting in at least five deaths, including a child, and 68 wounded, according to Iranian officials. Iran's Revolutionary Guards also reported that two oil tankers were disabled by sea mines while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the tankers were allowed to pass through an "illegal route" despite warnings.
Iranian forces claimed to have targeted U.S. radar systems and positions at bases in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Iraq. The Revolutionary Guards also stated that four personnel were killed in a U.S. attack in Iran's western Kermanshah province.
The conflict's renewed violence has contributed to a spike in oil prices, with Brent crude briefly exceeding $95 per barrel. However, oil prices decreased following President Trump's comments suggesting the latest round of strikes might conclude soon.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's traded oil passes, has been largely closed to international shipping since February 28. Despite U.S. assertions that the strait is open, traffic remains limited, and Iran has continued to target vessels.