Donald Trump is dispatching his Middle East envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Pakistan to restart negotiations aimed at ending the war with Iran, which has persisted for nearly eight weeks. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed the travel plans on Friday, stating that Witkoff and Kushner, who is also Trump's son-in-law, are scheduled to meet Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in Islamabad.
Leavitt expressed optimism about the upcoming discussions, saying, "We're hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal." Araghchi had previously announced a tour encompassing Pakistan, Russia, and Oman to explore potential foundations for reopening peace talks. A key demand from Tehran is a permanent US-Israeli commitment to cease attacks on Iran.
Vance on Standby
Vice-President JD Vance, who led a US delegation to Islamabad during the previous round of peace talks, will not be travelling to Pakistan this time. Instead, he will remain on "standby" in case of a breakthrough. Leavitt noted that the president, vice-president, and secretary of state would be waiting in the United States for updates, and Vance "would be willing to dispatch to Pakistan if we feel it's a necessary use of his time." Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the leader of the Iranian negotiating team in the first round, is also not expected to attend at this stage.
Strait of Hormuz and Nuclear Concerns
Araghchi is likely to discuss a potential permanent arrangement for governing the Strait of Hormuz with Oman, which oversees the southern part of the strait. Iran had previously stated it would not restart talks until the US lifted its blockade of Iranian ports, while the US demanded verifiable assurances that Tehran would end its nuclear programme and lift its own blockade of the strait. In a new proposal being considered, Iran might parcel out its 400-kilogram stockpile of highly enriched uranium and agree to sequentially dilute the enrichment level of each parcel in exchange for the lifting of specific sanctions. Iran is also exploring the possibility of involving China as a guarantor of any agreement.
When Araghchi visits Moscow, Russia is likely to revive its offer to take some of the stockpile, a practice it has engaged in previously. The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, stated on Iranian television that the main subject of negotiations is no longer the nuclear issue but rather "ending the war in a way that secures the country's interests." He emphasised that a ceasefire would only be accepted if it serves as the first step toward ending the war on all fronts, and that issues such as compensation, the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting sanctions are critical to Iran's future. Baghaei also stressed that commitments to non-aggression must come not only from the US but also from Israel, which has not participated in the talks. Trump has extended the ceasefire in Lebanon, a move that Israel resisted.
Blockade and Military Posture
Baghaei argued that the lifting of the US blockade was part of the original ceasefire agreement, questioning how trust could be established if the US fails to meet its minimum commitments. At a Pentagon briefing, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated Trump's stance that the US "had all the time in the world and we are not anxious for a deal." He reported that 34 ships had been turned back as part of the US blockade of Iran's ports, and a second aircraft carrier would join the blockade next week. Hegseth claimed the blockade had gone global, stating, "No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States navy." He accused Iran of acting like pirates by trying to stop ships and laying mines, warning that the US navy would shoot and kill anyone laying mines, comparing it to targeting drug boats in the Caribbean.
Hegseth also criticised European countries for refusing to intervene militarily, saying, "We're not pinning our hopes on Europe, but they need the Strait of Hormuz far more than we do. Maybe it's time for Europe to talk less and stop holding fancy conferences – perhaps they should just hop on a boat and come over. This is their fight more than ours." Iran has attacked five ships and captured two in its effort to enforce the blockade. Hegseth acknowledged that some transit through the strait was occurring but was limited and risky due to Iranian actions with small, fast boats. General Dan Caine, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that the US military was on standby to resume major combat operations if ordered by Trump.
Regional Reactions
Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser of the United Arab Emirates, criticised Iran's behaviour toward Gulf states, predicting it would take decades to restore trust. He suggested that more countries in the region might seek political communication with Israel, viewing Iran as the strategic threat. Gargash also noted political jockeying inside Iran between military and political wings, making a return to the old cohesive political order unlikely. He predicted the deadlock in the Strait of Hormuz could last another two weeks but emphasised that it was in the interests of both Iran and the US to reopen talks. "The tug of wills in the strait will take some time, but cannot go on for ever," he said.
