Trump Halts US Envoys' Pakistan Trip for Iran War Talks; Cites Tehran's Leadership 'Confusion'
Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by US officials to Pakistan on Saturday, intended for talks on the ongoing conflict with Iran. The US President asserted that special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would be 'wasting too much time' on the diplomatic mission, adding that if Iran wished to engage in dialogue, 'all they have to do is call'.
The cancellation occurred swiftly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi concluded discussions with Pakistani mediators in Islamabad. Aragchi stated he had conveyed Iran's position on ending the war but questioned whether the US was 'truly serious about diplomacy'.
Diplomatic efforts have faltered despite Trump's extension of a ceasefire, which had been due to expire on 22 April, to facilitate continued talks. The conflict, instigated by US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, has seen both sides embroiled in a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme.
Washington's stated opposition to Iran developing nuclear weapons was cited as a primary justification for the commencement of the current conflict. US and Israeli officials suspect Tehran of pursuing an atomic bomb, a claim Iran consistently denies, maintaining its nuclear programme is for energy generation, despite enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels.
The US has augmented its naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz – a critical shipping route for approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply – to obstruct Iranian oil exports.
Following the cancellation, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, claiming 'tremendous infighting and confusion' within Iran's leadership and that 'nobody knows who is in charge, including them'. He further declared, 'Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!'
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday reportedly killed at least four individuals, according to Lebanon's state news agency. The Israeli military stated that Hezbollah had fired rockets at Israel. Despite a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed group, exchanges of fire have persisted in recent weeks, with both sides accusing the other of violations. A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Saturday confirmed orders for the military to 'vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon'.
