Trump also claimed that Iran had sent what he described as a “very big present” linked to the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a sign that the US was “dealing with the right people”. He did not elaborate on the nature of the move, but tied it to broader efforts to reopen the vital oil shipping route, which has been disrupted during the conflict.The President added that the US was in a strong negotiating position. “We will have control of anything we want. If we can end this without more lives being down… I would like to be able to do that. They can’t have certain things. It starts with no nuclear weapons, and they have agreed to that,” he said.Despite Trump’s optimism, Iranian officials have rejected claims that talks are taking place. Tehran has instead struck a defiant tone, insisting it will continue fighting “until complete victory” even as international mediation efforts gather pace.Pakistan has emerged as a potential intermediary, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offering to host talks. Trump acknowledged that multiple senior figures, including Vice President J D Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, were involved in outreach efforts.Reports suggest Washington has floated a 15-point proposal that would impose strict limits on Iran’s nuclear programme, including ending uranium enrichment and transferring enriched material. In return, sanctions relief and assistance with civilian nuclear energy projects could be offered, alongside guarantees to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.There are also indications that a temporary ceasefire could be explored to create space for negotiations, although no formal agreement has been confirmed.

War intensifies even as talks discussed

On the ground, the conflict shows little sign of easing. Israeli strikes have targeted sites across Iran and allied positions in the region, while Iranian missiles and drones have hit Israel and neighbouring countries.The United States is also increasing its military footprint, with around 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division expected to deploy, joining thousands of Marines already heading to the Middle East. The build-up has fuelled speculation that Washington is preparing contingency plans even as it pursues diplomacy.At the same time, the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of the talks, with disruptions sending global oil prices sharply higher and raising concerns about the wider economic fallout.

Apart from acting, Mashhoor has also explored filmmaking, working behind the camera as a director and writer. Over the years, he has appeared in projects like ‘War’, ‘Accused’, and ‘Freedom at Midnight’, taking on diverse roles and steadily honing his craft. While many of his performances went under the radar, they contributed to shaping his versatility as an actor. Known for his understated presence, Mashhoor has largely stayed away from mainstream attention—until his recent breakout moment.

More about his performance in ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge

Amrohi’s recent performance, however, has placed him firmly in the spotlight. The response to his transformation has been overwhelming, even for the actor himself. Speaking about the attention to Mid-Day, Mashhoor shared, “For me, the biggest compliment is that nobody believes it is me. Some are saying that it’s AI. I had not anticipated this kind of adulation. There are memes and pictures all over the internet.” This disbelief among viewers highlights just how convincing his portrayal turned out to be.Interestingly, Mashhoor does not naturally resemble the political figure his character draws inspiration from. Director Aditya Dhar and casting director Mukesh Chhabra envisioned him in the role. Achieving that look required hours of effort and precision.Recalling the process, he said, “When we sat for the first make-up test, we didn’t quite achieve what the director wanted. We had to depict the [same] body weight, face, and ageing. Preetisheel went all out, I sat through more than eight hours of make-up daily for four days. For the weight, I had a bodysuit with a paunch.”

More about ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the movie has raked in over Rs 519 crore at the box office in five days of its release, including collections from the paid previews. The movie is expected to break records and set a new benchmark for Indian cinema. Starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun, the movie was released in theaters on March 19, 2026.