U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned visit by senior American envoys to Pakistan that was intended to support diplomatic efforts surrounding the ongoing conflict with Iran. The decision came shortly after Iran’s delegation departed Islamabad, raising further doubts about the prospects for renewed negotiations even as a ceasefire between the two sides remains in place.
Trump said special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner would have spent too much time on the trip without clear progress. He added that if Iran wished to engage in talks, it could contact Washington directly. The cancellation followed earlier discussions between Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistani officials, during which Tehran presented its position on steps toward ending the conflict but questioned whether the United States was fully committed to diplomacy.
Efforts to revive negotiations have slowed despite Trump’s decision to extend a ceasefire that had been set to expire on April 22. Tensions remain high between the two sides, particularly over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor through which roughly one fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Iran has restricted movement in the area following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes earlier this year, while Washington has increased its naval presence to prevent Iranian oil exports from reaching global markets.
Although the White House previously suggested that Iran was interested in discussions, Iranian officials said there were no plans for a direct meeting during the proposed visit. Trump nevertheless maintained that the ceasefire would continue to hold even as expectations faded for another round of face to face talks. Speaking to Axios, he said cancelling the trip did not mean the conflict would immediately resume.
Trump also pointed to what he described as internal divisions within Iran’s leadership as a factor complicating negotiations. In remarks posted on his Truth Social platform, he said the United States held a strong negotiating position and repeated that communication channels remained open if Tehran chose to engage directly.
Pakistan has played a key mediation role in recent weeks, including hosting earlier discussions between U.S. and Iranian representatives that ended without agreement. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Araghchi in Islamabad during the latest round of contacts, which Iranian officials described as constructive. Araghchi said he had presented a framework for permanently ending the war but remained uncertain whether Washington would respond positively to the proposal.
The broader conflict continues to carry regional consequences. Washington and Israel have cited concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a central reason behind the confrontation, while Tehran insists its nuclear program is intended only for civilian energy purposes. Meanwhile, violence has continued elsewhere in the region, including Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon that reportedly killed several people despite an existing ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
