President Donald Trump has announced the cancellation of the planned trip by US envoys to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran. In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that he instructed his representatives, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, not to travel to Islamabad, asserting that the United States holds a strong negotiating position.
Trump's Statement on Cancellation
Speaking on Friday, the 79-year-old president explained his decision: 'I've told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, 'Nope, you're not making an 18-hour flight to go there. 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.''
Trump further confirmed the move in a post on Truth Social, citing 'too much time wasted on travelling, too much work.' He added, 'Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their leadership. Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none!'
No Resumption of Attacks
Despite the cancellation, Trump told Axios that this does not signal a resumption of US attacks on Iran. The development follows Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's departure from Islamabad after delivering Tehran's list of conditions for ending the war.
The conflict, initiated by the US and Israel on February 28, has led to significant global economic repercussions, including skyrocketing oil prices that have affected fuel, food, and consumer technology costs worldwide.
Regional Conflict Continues
In Lebanon, fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants reportedly continues despite a ceasefire. Lebanon's health ministry reports that the death toll from Israeli attacks has reached 2,496 since March 2, with 7,725 injured.
The cancellation of the peace talks marks a significant shift in US diplomatic efforts, with Trump emphasizing that Iran can initiate contact if they wish to negotiate.
