WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has called off a planned visit by senior US envoys to Pakistan, dampening expectations of progress in efforts to ease tensions with Iran.
The trip, which was to include officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, was cancelled due to what Trump described as excessive travel requirements and dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest proposal to end the conflict.
Speaking before departing Florida, he acknowledged that Tehran had revised its offer but said it still fell short of US expectations.
In a message posted online, Trump also pointed to internal divisions within Iran’s leadership, claiming there was confusion over decision-making authority and insisting Washington held the upper hand in any negotiations.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi concluded his visit to Islamabad without securing any tangible progress. During his stay, he held discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials, describing the talks as constructive despite the absence of a breakthrough.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian later reiterated Tehran’s stance in a phone call with Sharif, stressing that Iran would not engage in negotiations under pressure. He urged the US to remove key restrictions, including those affecting Iranian ports, as a prerequisite for meaningful dialogue.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high, with both sides locked in a standoff. Iran has restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz an essential route for global energy supplies while the US continues to enforce limits on Iranian oil exports.
The current conflict, which began following US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, has seen retaliatory actions across the region, including attacks on Israel, US installations, and Gulf states. Although a ceasefire is technically in place, recent developments such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering intensified strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon have further strained the fragile situation.
Earlier diplomatic efforts also failed to gain traction. A previous round of talks led by US Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad did not yield results, leaving both sides entrenched in their positions as hopes for a negotiated settlement continue to fade.
