World Leaders Back Pause In Iran Strikes, Hope For De-Escalation

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- World leaders on Monday welcomed a temporary pause in strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, fuelling cautious optimism of de-escalation in West Asia despite Tehran denying any negotiations.

Welcoming reports of talks between Washington and Tehran, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the top priority has to be a ‘swift resolution’ to the West Asia conflict.

"The immediate priority has to be a swift resolution of the conflict and delivering a negotiated agreement which puts tough conditions on Iran, particularly in relation to nuclear weapons," Keir Starmer said during a parliamentary Liaison Committee session.

Starmer said the UK was "aware that that was happening."

On Monday, President Donald Trump said the US and Iran held ‘very good and productive’ talks with Tehran over the past two days.

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he has ordered a five-day postponement of all strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure.

However, Iran has rejected Trump’s claims of talks, with Iranian officials denying that any negotiations are taking place.

Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said that no negotiations have taken place with the US, dismissing reports of talks as “fake news” aimed at manipulating financial and oil markets.

“No negotiations have been held with the United States. These fake news reports are meant to manipulate financial and oil markets and to escape the quagmire the US and Israel are stuck in,” Qalibaf said on X, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

Meanwhile, the EU on Monday welcomed Trump’s decision to pause strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days, describing it as "any expression of restraint."

Speaking at a European Commission press briefing, Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the bloc supports all efforts to lower tensions in West Asia.

“I will recall what our leaders have said – a clear call for de-escalation and maximum restraint. Therefore, any expression of restraint is welcome,” he told reporters.

El Anouni said the EU remains actively engaged diplomatically with regional and international partners to prevent further escalation, noting ongoing contacts with key actors, including Iran and Gulf countries.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday voiced strong support for Trump's decision to postpone planned military strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, describing the move as a positive step towards diplomacy.

"I am grateful that he said today that he is postponing this by five days and is now also opening the possibility for immediate and direct contact with the Iranian leadership," Merz told reporters.

Meanwhile, Belgium on Monday also welcomed international efforts to calm tensions in West Asia following a decision by Trump to pause strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days.

In a written statement to Anadolu Ajansi, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said de-escalation must remain the top priority as the region faces heightened uncertainty after weeks of conflict.

"In these geopolitical times, the only certainty is uncertainty. If negotiations are indeed taking place behind the scenes, that would be a positive development," Prevot said.

He stressed that diplomacy remains the only viable path forward, welcoming mediation and dialogue efforts aimed at reducing tensions.

Egypt also welcomed Trump's remarks about ongoing contacts to de-escalate tensions with Iran, calling for prioritising dialogue to end the war.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Cairo continues its intensive contacts with relevant parties "to prevent reaching a point of no return, halt escalation in the region, and avoid sliding into widespread chaos."

“Egypt welcomes all efforts and initiatives that would reduce tensions and pave the way for de-escalation and ending the war,” the ministry said.

It called for “seizing this opportunity and building upon it to prioritise dialogue to halt the escalation and ultimately end the war."

-- BERNAMA