Former U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned diplomatic trip to Pakistan aimed at mediating talks with Iran, casting uncertainty over ongoing efforts to de-escalate the conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Mr Trump announced the decision on Sunday, stating there was no value in proceeding with negotiations he described as unproductive, even as he suggested Iran had quickly revised its proposal following the cancellation.
According to the White House, Mr Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff were scheduled to travel to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials.
However, Mr Trump said he scrapped the trip, citing dissatisfaction with Tehran’s initial position.
“We have all the cards… you’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing,” he said.
He added that Iran submitted a revised proposal shortly after the decision, though he provided no details.
Iran’s response and regional diplomacy
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had been in Islamabad for high-level meetings, described his visit as “very fruitful” but questioned Washington’s commitment to diplomacy.
“Yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy,” Mr Araghchi said.
He met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, military chief Asim Munir, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during the visit.
Pakistan reiterated its willingness to act as a mediator, with Mr Sharif emphasising the need for “durable peace.”
War tensions and strategic pressure
The conflict, which escalated following military actions involving the United States and Israel on 28 February, continues to strain regional stability.
Iran has maintained a blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route, despite mounting international pressure.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said maintaining control of the waterway remains central to its strategy, warning that continued U.S. actions would provoke a response.
Escalation beyond Iran
On the Lebanese front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes against Hezbollah following alleged ceasefire violations.
Lebanese authorities reported casualties from multiple strikes across southern regions, while Israel said it had targeted armed operatives.
Mr Trump said the cancellation of talks does not necessarily signal an immediate return to full-scale hostilities, stating, “We haven’t thought about it yet.”
However, the suspension of diplomatic engagement has raised concerns about the prospects for a negotiated settlement, as tensions remain high across multiple fronts in the Middle East.
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