ISLAMABAD / WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has cancelled a high-stakes diplomatic mission to Pakistan, just as Iranian officials were preparing for a potential second round of indirect peace talks. The US delegation, which was to be led by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Saturday to negotiate a more permanent end to the ongoing conflict.
In a characteristically blunt post on Truth Social, President Trump cited “infighting and confusion” within the Iranian leadership as a primary reason for the cancellation, stating that the trip would be a “waste of time.”
“We have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!” — President Donald Trump via Truth Social
Diplomatic Stalemate
The cancellation comes hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Islamabad for Oman. Araghchi described his discussions with Pakistani officials—including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir—as “fruitful,” but he expressed skepticism regarding Washington’s commitment to a serious diplomatic framework.
- Iran’s Stance: Tehran maintains it will not engage in direct talks while a US-led blockade of its ports continues.
- Pakistan’s Role: Despite the setback, PM Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to acting as a “sincere facilitator” to prevent the regional crisis from escalating further.
- The “New Paper”: Upon returning to Washington, Trump claimed that within 10 minutes of the cancellation, Iran sent over a “much better” peace proposal, though he stressed that any deal must ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.
Escalation in Lebanon
While diplomatic efforts stall in Islamabad, the situation in the Levant remains volatile. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the IDF to “vigorously attack” Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, citing violations of the existing ceasefire.
Lebanese state media reported multiple strikes in the south of the country late Saturday. While Trump recently extended the regional ceasefire, these latest strikes highlight the fragility of the peace, as both Israel and Hezbollah continue to trade accusations of bad faith.
Global Economic Impact
The deadlock continues to rattle global markets. With the Strait of Hormuz largely closed to commercial traffic, oil prices remain volatile:
- Brent Crude: Trading at approximately $105.88 per barrel.
- Supply Chain: Critical shipments of LNG and fertilizer remain disrupted, placing immense domestic pressure on the Trump administration to secure a resolution.