No peace talks 2.0! Trump cancels envoys’ Pakistan trip, says US holds ‘all the cards’ in Iran talks

US President Donald Trump has called off a planned visit by American envoys to Pakistan for talks involving Iran, signalling a hardening stance in Washington’s approach to the ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The White House had earlier said special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to travel to Islamabad for direct discussions with Iranian representatives, part of a Pakistan-mediated effort to restart stalled diplomacy aimed at ending the war that began on February 28.

Trump confirmed the cancellation in remarks to Fox News, saying he told his team there was no need for extended travel for talks he described as unproductive.

“We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing,” he said.

However, in comments to Axios, Trump rejected suggestions that the decision pointed to renewed military escalation. “No. It doesn’t mean that. We haven’t thought about it yet,” he said.

The diplomatic development came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi concluded a series of meetings in Islamabad with Pakistan’s top leadership, including Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Araghchi later described the visit as “very fruitful” and said Tehran had presented a “workable framework” for ending the conflict.

Araghchi has since travelled to Oman for further consultations and is expected to visit Russia as Iran seeks wider diplomatic support. Tehran has also signalled scepticism over US intentions, saying it will not return to negotiations while tensions remain high over ongoing military and economic pressure.

A key unresolved issue remains the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping route for global oil supplies. Iranian forces have maintained restrictions in the waterway, while Western governments have warned of mounting risks to global energy security. Tehran has described its control of the strait as part of its broader strategy.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reiterated on Saturday that they would continue to exert pressure in the region if what they described as US “blockades” persisted. European officials, meanwhile, have called for the immediate reopening of the waterway, warning of global economic consequences.

With AFP inputs