Trump Cancels US Envoys' Trip to Pakistan for Iran War Talks
Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by US officials to Pakistan for discussions on the Iran war on Saturday, shortly after Tehran's delegation departed Islamabad.
The US president stated that special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would be wasting "too much time," adding that if Iran wished to engage in talks, "all they have to do is call."
Iran-Pakistan Talks and Diplomatic Stalemate
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held discussions with Pakistan, acting as mediator, and afterwards said he had conveyed Iran's position on ending the war but was yet to determine if the US was "truly serious about diplomacy." Diplomatic efforts have stalled despite Trump's extension of a ceasefire, which was initially set to expire on 22 April, to allow negotiations to continue.
Both parties remain in a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran restricting passage through this critical shipping route following US and Israeli strikes in February, as well as concerns regarding Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
The US has increased its naval presence in the strait — a passage through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply transits — aiming to block Iranian oil exports.
The White House had indicated that the Iranians "want to talk" when the trip was announced on Friday; however, Iran stated there were no plans for a direct meeting.
Trump affirmed that the ceasefire would hold on Saturday despite diminishing prospects for another round of face-to-face talks.
Asked whether the cancelled US trip meant the war would resume, he told news site Axios: "No, it doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet."
Trump's Comments on Iran Leadership and Diplomacy
Announcing the cancellation of the US trip on Saturday, Trump cited "tremendous infighting and confusion" within Iran's leadership and remarked that "nobody knows who is in charge, including them."
He wrote on his Truth Social platform: "Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!"
The White House had stated on Friday that US Vice-President JD Vance was "on standby" to join the talks if they proved successful. Vance had led the US delegation in the first round of talks earlier this month, and his absence from the initial planned delegation perhaps indicated that a major breakthrough was not anticipated.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian previously expressed that Tehran remained open to talks but noted that "breach of commitments, blockade and threats are main obstacles to genuine negotiations."
Pakistan's Mediation and Araghchi's Regional Visits
Pakistan has facilitated contact between the two sides in recent weeks, including talks between senior US and Iranian officials on 11 April that ended without agreement.
Araghchi, whose trip also includes visits to Oman and Russia, described his visit to Pakistan as "fruitful" in a post on X.
He added that he had "shared Iran's position concerning [a] workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran," but said he had "yet to see if US is truly serious about diplomacy."
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the parties had shared "a most warm, cordial exchange of views on the current regional situation."
According to Iranian state media, Araghchi is expected to return to Islamabad after visiting Oman.
Background on Conflict and Nuclear Concerns
Washington's opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons has been cited as a reason for the current conflict, with the US and Israel suspecting Tehran of pursuing an atomic bomb.
Tehran has consistently denied such intentions, asserting that its nuclear program is intended for energy generation, despite having enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels.
Israeli Strikes in Lebanon and Ongoing Clashes
Elsewhere, at least four people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to the country's state news agency. The Israeli military reported that Hezbollah had fired rockets at Israel.
Despite a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, both sides have continued exchanging fire in recent weeks and have accused each other of violating the agreement.
On Saturday, a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military had been ordered to "vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon."
