Trump cancels envoys' trip to Pakistan for Iran talks
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Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin / Pool / AFP via Getty Images
President Trump canceled the trip by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad due to the Iranian position in peace negotiations, he told Axios.
Why it matters: The envoys had been expected to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a trip designed to break a diplomatic stalemate and build momentum for a deal.
What they're saying: "I see no point of sending them on an 18-hour flight in the current situation [of the negotiations]. It's too long. We can do it just as well by telephone. The Iranians can call us if they want. We are not gonna travel just to sit there," the president told Axios on Saturday.
- Asked whether it means he is going to resume the war, Trump said: "No. It doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet."
- "We have all the cards. We are not going to go there to sit around talking about nothing."
The latest: Trump later told reporters Saturday afternoon that the meeting with the Iranians wasn't going to happen until Tuesday, and that therefore he thought it was a waste of time to travel to Pakistan.
- He also said a counteroffer Araghchi gave the Pakistanis on Saturday wasn't good enough.
- "They gave us a paper that should have been better and interestingly the minute I cancelled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better …they offered a lot but not enough," Trump said.
The big picture: While Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran earlier this week, the diplomatic efforts haven't made any progress in recent days.
- U.S. officials had said Iran's divided factions had a short window to come together on an offer.
- "[T]here is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership.' Nobody knows who is in charge, including them," Trump said in a Truth Social post Saturday after calling off the trip.
Zoom in: Araghchi met on Saturday in Islamabad with Pakistan's prime minister, army commander, and foreign minister, who have been mediating between the sides.
- But the talks ended with no significant progress. Araghchi left Islamabad without committing to meet Witkoff and Kushner if they traveled to Pakistan.
- The Iranian foreign minister expressed in his meetings that Iran demands the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade as a pre-condition for talks.
- About an hour after Araghchi left Islamabad, Trump decided to cancel the trip.
- "Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy," Araghchi said in a post on X thanking the Pakistanis for their efforts.
What to watch: What comes next isn't clear, though Trump allies called on the president to continue pressure on the Iranians — even if that means resuming military operations.
- "In my view, the top priority of the United States and the world is to establish firm control over the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring freedom of navigation under international law," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a post on X.
- "When it comes to achieving that goal, US military engagement may be required in the short term. It is more than worth the risk associated with regaining freedom of navigation of the strait."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with fresh comments from President Trump.
