Heavy Explosions Reported in Isfahan on Day 31 of US-Iran War; Trump Claims 'Great Progress'

Major explosions were reported in Isfahan on March 31, 2026 — the 31st day of the US-Israel military campaign against Iran. Analysts cited 'sustained secondary detonations' indicating a production facility was struck, consistent with the IRGC missile production and explosives manufacturing infrastructure concentrated in the Isfahan region. Simultaneously, Trump claimed 'great progress' in diplomacy, asserting direct contact with Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei categorically denied any direct negotiations had taken place throughout the 31 days of war, stating contacts were strictly limited to messages passed through Pakistani and Turkish intermediaries. Ghalibaf himself had previously rejected Trump's claims of direct talks. Iran's five-point counterproposal — demanding a full halt to strikes, mechanisms to prevent war resumption, compensation for war damages, recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and inclusion of Hezbollah in any ceasefire — remained unacknowledged by the US side. The April 6 deadline Trump set for renewed energy infrastructure strikes remained in place. US and Gulf officials privately acknowledged that Iranian officials being communicated with may lack authority to sign any agreement, and expressed uncertainty about the status of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.