US Iran talks: Trump cancels Pakistan trip for Witkoff and Kushner, says Washington holds "all the cards"

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will stop travelling to Pakistan for Iran talks. Trump said Washington did not need another 18-hour trip for discussions in Islamabad. Trump argued the US had a strong position in the conflict with Iran.

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Trump made the remarks in an interview with Fox News. Trump said Iran could contact the US directly at any time. Trump also signalled frustration with the pace of discussions. Trump said the delegation would not fly again just to wait for meetings.

Trump Pakistan Iran talks and the 18-hour flight

"Ive told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, nope, youre not making an 18 hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but youre not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking about nothing, Trump told Fox News.\"

Trump said the US held \"all the cards\" regarding the Iran dispute. Trump also said it was not worth sending negotiators so far. Trump’s statement suggested fewer in-person contacts in Pakistan. It also placed the next step on Iran to initiate contact with Washington.

Trump Pakistan Iran talks after Abbas Araghchi visit

The comments followed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leaving Islamabad on Saturday. Araghchi had met Pakistan’s top leadership during the visit. Araghchi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other senior officials. Araghchi then travelled to Oman.

Araghchi’s departure reduced the chance of a second round of talks in Islamabad this week. The earlier round took place on April 11-12 and ended without a deal. Araghchi’s stop in Pakistan was part of a three-nation tour. Oman was listed as the second leg of that trip.

Trump Pakistan Iran talks and war timeline

The wider conflict began after the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran on February 28. Iran’s retaliation then widened the fighting beyond Iran. The response extended the war across the Gulf region. The stalled talks in Islamabad came against that backdrop.

Trump’s decision leaves direct calls as the main channel mentioned for further contact with Iran. It also ends the planned travel by Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan for now. With Araghchi moving on to Oman, a second Islamabad round appears off the table this week. The April 11-12 talks still remain without an agreement.

With inputs from PTI