WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has said he could visit Islamabad if a peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is finalised there, expressing optimism that a deal with Iran may be close.
Speaking to reporters before departing for a domestic trip, Trump noted that negotiations were progressing positively and suggested that a ceasefire between the US and Iran set to expire next week might not even need an extension if talks continue to advance.
He praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating diplomacy, specifically mentioning Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling both leaders cooperative and supportive. Trump added that he would consider travelling to Islamabad if the agreement is formally signed there.
The recent round of talks in Islamabad marked a rare direct engagement between American and Iranian officials, the first of its kind in over a decade and among the highest-level interactions since the Iranian Revolution. The discussions were led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
Negotiations stretched for nearly 21 hours, covering critical issues such as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear programme, and the easing of international sanctions. While no final agreement was reached, officials described the dialogue as an important breakthrough in re-establishing direct communication channels.
Reports indicate that a fresh proposal has been shared with both sides to resume discussions soon, possibly within days. Trump also warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to renewed hostilities, though he maintained that progress so far has been encouraging.
He further claimed that Iran has shown willingness to make concessions, including on sensitive nuclear matters, and expressed confidence that a broader regional understanding including between Israel and Lebanon could also be achieved in the near future.
