US President Donald Trump has confirmed the cancellation of his plan to send envoys to Pakistan for ceasefire talks with Iran, citing wasted time and confusion within Iranian leadership. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: 'I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going 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.' He added that the US holds all the cards and that Iran can simply call if they want to talk.
The cancellation deals a blow to peace prospects, as hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough in the US-Iran conflict had already receded. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi left mediator Pakistan empty-handed after describing his visit as 'very fruitful'. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by phone that Tehran would not enter 'imposed negotiations' under threats or blockade, and called for the removal of 'operational obstacles' including the US blockade on Iranian ports.
Trump later claimed that Iran offered a better deal minutes after the trip was cancelled. 'They gave us a paper that should have been better, and interestingly, immediately, when I canceled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better,' he told reporters. Meanwhile, the US Navy is clearing Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea route for Gulf oil that remains largely closed, straining the global economy. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have stated they have no intention of lifting their blockade, which has roiled energy markets.
Efforts to resume US-Iran talks have stalled, with Tehran refusing to engage while the naval blockade remains. European Council President Antonio Costa called for the waterway to 'immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling', emphasizing its importance to the world.
