Donald Trump has canceled a planned trip by U.S. negotiators to Pakistan for talks with Iran, dashing hopes for peace talks. The former president made the announcement on Truth Social, stating that sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would result in "too much time wasted on traveling."
Trump asserts US leverage
In his post, Trump asserted that the United States holds "all the cards" in negotiations, while Iran has "none." He indicated that Iran could initiate talks by calling the U.S. directly. Speaking to Fox News, Trump elaborated that his envoys would not make an "18-hour flight to sit around talking about nothing."
Background on the proposed talks
The planned trip was seen as a potential step toward de-escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. However, Trump's cancellation signals a hardening of his stance. The decision comes amid ongoing discussions about Iran's nuclear program and regional influence.
Analysts suggest that Trump's move may complicate diplomatic efforts, as Pakistan had been positioned as a mediator. The cancellation leaves the future of U.S.-Iran negotiations uncertain, with no new dates set for resumption.
