‘US will retreat’: Mojtaba aide taunts Trump after Iran’s new backchannel offer via Pak

Tensions shift as Tehran moves quietly through a new backchannel via Pakistan, offering talks that have prompted a sharp public taunt from a senior aide to Mojtaba Khamenei: "U.S. will retreat." The development comes amid heightened brinkmanship in the region, days after Washington extended a temporary waiver on seaborne Russian oil and following reports that a planned U.S. strike on Iran was postponed. Analysts say the Pakistan channel signals a strategic effort by Iran to de-escalate while preserving leverage, testing whether Washington will respond to indirect diplomacy or double down on pressure. We unpack what this backchannel means for regional stability, U.S. credibility, and the shifting alignments between Tehran, Islamabad and other key players. Watch expert commentary, reaction from policy circles, and a breakdown of possible scenarios — from genuine rapprochement to a tactical pause aimed at buying time. Subscribe for rolling coverage as new details emerge and for deep dives into the geopolitics shaping the Middle East and global energy markets.