New Delhi, Apr 25: US President Donald Trump has cancelled the proposed visit of his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks on the US- Iran conflict, dealing a setback to already fragile diplomatic efforts, according to US media reports.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said he had called off the trip at the last moment, asserting Washington’s strong negotiating position.
“We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing,” he said.
The cancellation comes amid growing indications that there is little convergence between the US and Iran on key issues, including sanctions and the blockade of Iranian ports.
The proposed US delegation was already seen as low-key, with Vice-President JD Vance only on standby and not scheduled to participate initially.
The scrapping of even this visit signals widening gaps between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had travelled to Islamabad as part of regional consultations yesterday has already left for Muscat in Oman, though Pakistani officials expect him to return in the coming days.
During his visit, Araghchi held talks with Pak Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir.
Sharif described his interaction with the Iranian minister as “warm and cordial,” adding that both sides discussed regional developments and bilateral ties.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the meeting lasted around two hours and emphasised the need for dialogue and diplomacy to ensure regional peace and stability.
According to the BBC, Araghchi conveyed Tehran’s “views and considerations” on ending the conflict and expressed readiness to continue Pakistan’s mediation efforts.
However, Iran has maintained that no direct talks with US officials are planned, with spokesperson Esmail Baqaei reiterating that engagements in Islamabad were strictly bilateral.
Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary, attempting to bridge the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran.
While the US has claimed Iran is seeking face-to-face negotiations, Iranian officials have denied this, underlining the lack of even a basic agreement on the format of talks.
For now, Pakistan’s role appears limited to facilitating indirect communication, as both Washington and Tehran continue to hold firm on their core positions.
The diplomatic impasse persists despite a temporary two-week ceasefire, agreed upon to allow space for negotiations after earlier talks collapsed over the US blockade of Iranian ports.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had earlier expressed hope for “positive developments,” but the latest move suggests momentum has stalled.
The situation is further complicated by the growing strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, where tensions have escalated, with both sides accused of imposing restrictions.
Analysts say the emergence of this new flashpoint indicates that a long-term resolution remains distant.
Meanwhile, domestic pressures are mounting in Iran.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged citizens to conserve electricity amid continuing economic strain, saying external pressure was aimed at fuelling public discontent.
