Trump says he'll send negotiators to Pakistan, Iran suspects trap
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JD Vance (R), Steve Witkoff (C) and Jared Kushner in Islamabad during the first round of talks. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via Getty
Vice President JD Vance will lead a U.S. delegation for another round of talks with Iran in Islamabad before the ceasefire is scheduled to end on Tuesday night, two U.S. officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: The talks could provide an eleventh hour opportunity to reach a deal, or at least extend the ceasefire — though Iran has yet to confirm its participation and is concerned this is all subterfuge from the White House.
Driving the news: In a brief call with Axios on Sunday, President Trump expressed optimism about the purported talks.
- "I feel fine about it. The concept of the deal is done. I think we have a very good chance to get it completed," he said.
- Earlier on Sunday, Trump had said his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would depart for Pakistan on Sunday, but didn't mention Vance.
Yes, but: Iranian officials, on the other hand, are lowering expectations and appear suspicious that Trump's talk of a deal could be cover for a U.S. surprise attack.
- As of Sunday afternoon, the Iranian officials hadn't confirmed they would be sending negotiators to Islamabad, and multiple Iranian officials raised the possibility that Trump's real intention may be to resume the war.
- Iran's state news agency denied that talks were planned and said the Trump administration's "unreasonable and unrealistic demands, frequent changes of positions, constant contradictions" and ongoing blockade leave "no clear prospect for fruitful negotiations."
- It's unclear when exactly the talks are supposed to start, or when Vance is to leave Washington.
Driving the news: Iran attacked several commercial vessels on Saturday after announcing it was once again closing the Strait of Hormuz.
- That came after Trump had expressed confidence that a peace deal was imminent.
- The Iranian move came after Trump declined to lift the blockade on the strait of Hormuz, and after Tehran claimed the U.S. introduced new "maximalist" positions.
- Trump convened an unusual Saturday Situation Room meeting in response to the new crisis. A U.S. official said that at the end of the meeting Trump still expressed a desire to try reach a deal with Iran, before exploring other options.
What he's saying: "Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday morning.
- Trump noted his representatives would arrive in Islamabad on Monday evening for negotiations.
- "We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!" Trump wrote.
- "They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years. IT’S TIME FOR THE IRAN KILLING MACHINE TO END!" he added.
The bottom line: After days of assuring the U.S. and the world that the war was over, Trump could soon revert back to his threats to escalate.
Go deeper... Trump's energy boss: gas may stay above $3-per-gallon into 2027
Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional details throughout.
