President Donald Trump said he canceled a planned trip by U.S. envoys to Pakistan after Iran's top diplomat departed the country without agreeing to direct talks, effectively shutting down the opportunity for face-to-face negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday after meeting with Pakistani leaders but declining to engage with U.S. officials, reinforcing Tehran's preference for indirect talks through intermediaries.
Trump said he then ordered special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner to stand down as they prepared for the trip.
"I told my people, when they were preparing for the flight — you're not going to fly 18 hours, we hold all the cards. They can call us whenever they want, but you're not flying 18 hours to sit and talk about nothing," Trump said in an interview with Fox News.
Trump later posted to Truth Social, confirming his decision:
"I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going is [to] Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians. Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership.' Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!"
The White House had earlier said the two envoys would travel to Pakistan in hopes of advancing negotiations aimed at easing tensions and potentially securing a broader agreement.
Pakistan has been serving as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, hosting indirect discussions after earlier rounds of talks failed to produce a deal.
Iran has refused to enter a new round of direct negotiations, citing the ongoing U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz as a key obstacle, while continuing to communicate through Pakistani officials.
Trump's decision to cancel the trip underscores a shift toward a more hardline approach, signaling that the administration expects Iran to initiate any next step toward direct engagement.
With Araghchi's departure closing the window for talks in Islamabad, diplomatic efforts now appear likely to continue through intermediaries unless conditions change.
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