Speculating on the Direction of the Iran War After Trump's Envoy Cancels Trip to Pakistan
The future of the United States (US) war alongside Israel against Iran has yet to find a clear resolution. President Donald Trump’s envoy has cancelled a trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, for the second round of peace negotiations with Iran.
According to detikNews, Trump emphasised that the cancellation of the envoy’s visit to Pakistan does not mean the US-Israel war against Iran will resume immediately. The White House had previously stated that Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would head to Pakistan for direct talks with the Iranian side.
Shortly before that announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister (FM) Abbas Araghchi completed his diplomatic visit to Islamabad after meeting with Pakistan’s Military Chief Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. However, Trump stated that he had cancelled the trip.
“We hold all the cards. They can contact us anytime, but there’s no need to fly 18 hours just to sit and discuss things that lead nowhere,” Trump said, quoting his statement to his team.
Iranian FM Leaves Islamabad
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that Araghchi has left Islamabad to meet Omani officials on Saturday (25/4). Araghchi is also scheduled to continue his journey to Russia to discuss efforts to end the war.
In a post on platform X, Araghchi described his visit to Pakistan as a productive step. He also conveyed Iran’s position on a framework that could be implemented to end the war permanently.
“It remains to be seen whether the US is truly serious about diplomacy,” he said.
Before Trump’s announcement, the prospects for new talks were already uncertain. Iranian state television reported that Araghchi had no plans to meet with the US side. Meanwhile, Islamabad would only act as an intermediary to convey Iran’s proposals.
Pakistan PM Phones Iranian President to Push for Peace
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday (24/4). Sharif conveyed that he would continue efforts to promote peace between Iran and the US, which remain tense.
Sharif assured that Islamabad would persist in efforts to promote peace and regional security. In a post on X, Sharif expressed appreciation for Iran’s decision to send a high-level delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad for talks aimed at ending the war.