U.S. President Trump (left) and Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei [AP·AFP=Yonhap News]

The United States and Iran appear to be heading for direct talks to end the war, one month after its commencement.

According to Reuters and dpa, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced on the 27th (local time) that the U.S. and Iran, following indirect negotiations behind the scenes, are expected to engage in face-to-face talks in Pakistan soon.

In an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio on the same day, Baerbock stated regarding the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, "Based on the information I have, there have been indirect contacts (between the U.S. and Iran), and preparations for a direct meeting have been completed," adding, "It seems that talks will be held in Pakistan soon."

Baerbock positively assessed the indirect contacts that have taken place so far between both sides, calling them "the first signs of hope and trust."

She further commented, "It appears that initial positions (from both sides) have already been exchanged in writing through a third party," but did not specify who facilitated the indirect talks.

The previous day, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, had stated that the U.S. and Iran were engaged in indirect talks mediated by Pakistan.

He conveyed via the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that "messages are indeed being conveyed through Pakistan, and the U.S. and Iran are engaged in indirect dialogue."

Dar further explained, "The U.S. has presented a 15-point proposal (for peace), and Iran is currently reviewing it," adding that "brotherly Islamic nations like Turkey and Egypt are also supporting this plan."

However, Iran continues to officially deny reports of negotiations with the United States.

According to a TASS report, Iranian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Ali Akbar Jokar, told reporters at the Eurasian Government Committee event held in Kazakhstan that the U.S. and Iran are not currently engaged in negotiations.

He stated, "Based on available information, no negotiations are currently taking place (between the U.S. and Iran)," adding, "Of course, neighboring countries have expressed interest and a willingness to help resume negotiations."

This indicates that the U.S. and Iran are engaged in a fierce war of nerves over whether to initiate peace talks.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the U.S. and Iran were engaged in peace talks and that Iran had agreed to key issues such as abandoning nuclear weapons. Simultaneously, he employed a two-pronged strategy, hinting at the possibility of ground warfare in Iran to pressure negotiations.

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, also revealed that the U.S. had conveyed a peace proposal containing 15 demands to Iran through Pakistan, which was acting as a mediator.

However, while Iran acknowledges the exchange of opinions through a mediator, it officially denies that these constitute formal negotiations.

Iran is reported to have rejected the peace proposal presented by the U.S. and has made a counter-proposal that includes demands for war reparations, guarantees against recurrence, and recognition of Iran's sovereignty in the Strait of Hormuz.