Washington: US Vice President JD Vance will head the American delegation for upcoming talks with Iran in Pakistan, a White House official confirmed on Sunday. The announcement came shortly after President Donald Trump indicated that Vance would not travel, citing security concerns.

Earlier in the day, Trump said he would send negotiators to Islamabad for discussions with Tehran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with a ceasefire nearing its expiry.

At the time, the president stated that Vance would not make the trip due to security reasons. “It’s only because of security,” Trump told ABC News, adding, “JD’s great.”

However, the White House later clarified that Vance would indeed attend the talks.

Alongside Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are also expected to participate, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The same group had previously taken part in negotiations held on April 11 and 12, which concluded without an agreement.

Trump issues strong warning to Iran

Trump earlier accused Iran of committing a “Total Violation” of the two-week ceasefire following attacks reported on Saturday in the Strait of Hormuz.

He warned that if Tehran does not agree to terms, the United States could target key infrastructure in Iran. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he was offering a “reasonable deal”, but cautioned that if it is rejected, “the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”

He further added, “They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years.”

Talks seen as crucial

Washington’s envoy to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, told ABC News that the upcoming round of negotiations could have an “incredibly consequential” outcome.

Rising tensions in Strait of Hormuz

Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remained closed on Sunday amid the ongoing standoff. Iran had announced on Saturday that it would once again shut the strategic waterway, just a day after signalling it would reopen it to shipping.

A UK maritime security agency reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired at a tanker on Saturday. Separately, security intelligence firm Vanguard Tech stated that the force had threatened to “destroy” an empty cruise ship attempting to leave the Gulf.

In another reported incident, the UK agency said a vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile, causing damage to shipping containers, though no fire broke out.

Ceasefire nears expiry

The current ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to end on Wednesday, adding urgency to the upcoming talks in Islamabad.

Agency inputs