Washington/Islamabad — Donald Trump has cancelled a planned visit by senior U.S. envoys to Pakistan aimed at advancing negotiations over the ongoing Iran conflict, signaling a setback in fragile diplomatic efforts.
The trip, which was expected to include special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, was called off shortly after an Iranian delegation departed Islamabad following talks with Pakistani mediators.
Trump dismissed the need for further indirect engagement, stating that U.S. officials would be wasting “too much time” and insisting that Iran could initiate talks directly if it wished. “If they want to talk, all they have to do is call,” he said.
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, describing the discussions as “fruitful.” Araghchi said he had outlined Tehran’s framework for ending the war but questioned whether Washington was genuinely committed to diplomacy.
Despite a recently extended ceasefire—originally set to expire on April 22—negotiations remain stalled. The conflict continues to center on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has restricted maritime passage following U.S. and Israeli strikes earlier this year.
The United States has since reinforced its naval presence in the region to counter Iranian actions and secure vital oil shipping lanes, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s supply flows.
Pakistan has played a mediating role in recent weeks, hosting indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian representatives. However, a previous round of negotiations held on April 11 ended without a breakthrough.
While Trump maintained that the ceasefire remains in place, uncertainty looms over whether diplomatic channels can be revived. Meanwhile, regional tensions persist, with renewed exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon further complicating the broader security landscape.
