Podcast Summary: Ark News Daily – March 25, 2026

Episode Title: Trump wants a ceasefire, Saudi Arabia pushes for regime change
Host: Deborah Pardes (Ark Media)
Special Guests/Quotes: Donald Trump, Iran’s UK Ambassador
Main Theme:
This episode covers high-level diplomatic and military developments in the ongoing war in Iran, focusing on President Trump’s unexpected push for a ceasefire, skepticism from global and regional players, and Saudi Arabia’s contrasting push for continued conflict and potential regime change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Ceasefire Initiative and Diplomacy (00:04–02:10)

• Trump signals imminent ceasefire:
  Trump claims confidence that a deal with Iran is close, asserting he's dealing with “the right people.” Despite his optimism, global skepticism is high, and previous Gulf mediators have withdrawn from the latest negotiation round.
  • Quote:
    “The leaders are all gone. Nobody knows who to talk to. But we're actually talking to the right people and they want to make a deal so badly.” (Donald Trump, 00:04)
• Talks to take place in Islamabad:
  Next round of negotiations set to begin Thursday in Pakistan, without Gulf state involvement.
• Vague yet bold claims:
  Trump is notably imprecise about terms:
  • Iran allegedly concedes on “no nuclear weapons.”
  • Trump hints at a “present” received from Iran, without elaboration.
  • Quote:
    “They did something yesterday that was amazing, actually. … It was a very significant prize.” (Donald Trump, 01:33)
• Uncertainty over negotiators:
  U.S. now seeks to engage with Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammed Galiboff. Iran, for its part, is pushing for VP JD Vance, rejecting former envoys Kushner and Witkoff.

2. Regional Responses and Escalation (02:11–05:22)

• Continued hostilities:
  Despite diplomatic overtures, fighting goes on:

  • U.S. and Israel target IRGC centers.
  • Iran fires missiles at Israel, resulting in injuries and major damage, including a direct hit in Tel Aviv.

• Trump’s military options:
  Possible expansion on the table, including seizure of Kharg island or buried uranium stores, as more U.S. troops are sent to the region.

• Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s Stance:

  • Saudi Crown Prince pushes back against U.S. de-escalation, seeing the conflict as a historic chance to end Iran’s current regime.
  • Gulf states (Saudi, UAE, Kuwait) increase involvement:
    • Saudi reverses policy, allowing U.S. military access to airbases.
    • UAE/Kuwait crack down on Hezbollah-linked terrorist cells and Iranian assets.
  • Bahrain launches missiles towards Iran, aligning more closely with Israeli actions.
    • Quote:
      “One source told the Wall Street Journal that it’s, quote, only a matter of time.” (on Gulf escalation)

• Trump downplays Gulf involvement, focuses on NATO:
  When asked about Gulf state participation, he emphasizes the importance of NATO contributions instead:

  • Quote:
    “Yeah, I mean a little bit, but more NATO? I think our Gulf allies have been pretty good, to be honest with you.” (Donald Trump, 05:15)

3. Shifting Regional Alliances and New Developments (05:22–06:45)

• Israel-Jordan-UAE Free Trade Zone:
  Decades-old plan for a joint industrial free trade zone finally moves forward due to shared threat from Iran’s missile attacks.
• Lebanon Expels Iranian Ambassador:
  • Marking a bold shift, Lebanon declares the Iranian ambassador persona non grata, defying Hezbollah’s dominance and denouncing Iranian influence under military pressure from Israel.
    • Hezbollah labels the move a “national and strategic sin.”
• Israel maintains pressure in Lebanon:
  • Israeli military reports destruction of bridges used by Hezbollah, vowing continued control.

4. European and UK Responses (06:45–08:00)

• UK confronts Iran:
  • British foreign office summons Iranian ambassador after accusations of Iranian nationals surveilling London’s Jewish community.
  • Interview highlights ambassador’s deflection and denial of internal repression.
    • Quote:
      “Our people are in a very sensitive period of time, but they are supporting the government against the foreign invader.” (Iran’s UK Ambassador, 07:31)
    • Quote:
      “Your government killed thousands of their own people and the world saw that.” (Deborah Pardes, 07:41)
• NATO involvement in Strait of Hormuz:
  • Despite Trump’s calls, Europe resists military entry into Iran war, but UK, France, and the U.S. agree to lead a naval coalition to clear mines in the critical Strait.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump’s Deal-Maker Confidence:
  “You have no idea how badly they want to make a deal.” (Trump, 00:08)

• On Ceasefire Terms:
  “Again, it starts with no nuclear weapons and they've agreed to that.” (Trump, 01:10)

• On Mysterious ‘Present’ from Iran:
  “They did something yesterday that was amazing, actually. They gave us a present and I'm not going to tell you what that present is.” (Trump, 01:33)

• Saudi Motives for Regime Change:
  “The Saudi Crown Prince sees the war as an historic opportunity to topple the Islamic Republic and remake the region.” (Deborah Pardes, 04:15)

• Regional Tipping Point:
  “The final straw will be if Tehran goes through with its threat to bomb critical power and water infrastructure in the Gulf.” (Deborah Pardes quoting Gulf source, 04:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:04 — Trump’s opening statement on negotiations
• 00:30 — Podcast intro and major news headlines
• 01:10 — Trump’s description of (alleged) Iranian nuclear concessions
• 01:33 — Trump hints at secret “present” from Iran
• 02:00 — Discussion of the shifting cast of negotiators
• 03:10 — Details of continued combat and casualties in Israel/Iran exchange
• 04:10 — Saudi push for regime change and Gulf states’ involvement
• 05:15 — Trump: “More NATO” on possible expanded conflict
• 05:22 — Israel-Jordan-UAE free trade zone initiative
• 06:08 — Lebanon expels Iranian ambassador, Hezbollah’s reaction
• 07:31 — UK confronts Iranian ambassador over attacks on Jewish community
• 07:41 — Pardes questions Iran’s human rights record
• 07:50 — Europe's role: UK/French/U.S. coalition for the Strait of Hormuz

Overall Tone and Takeaways

The episode is brisk, news-oriented, and analytical. Deborah Pardes delivers developments in an urgent, unsparing manner, weaving direct quotes and on-the-ground impact with strategic, high-level analysis. Trump’s unpredictable approach to diplomacy stands in stark contrast to the increasingly bellicose stance of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, while Europe maintains hesitation about getting drawn into another Middle East war.

For listeners: This episode is essential for understanding the fragile threads holding together Middle East diplomacy in the face of intensifying conflict, as traditional alignments shift and the world waits to see if this is the dawn of peace — or just a pause before the next escalation.