US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he had called off a planned visit by his envoys to Pakistan, where they were expected to hold peace discussions with Iran. However, he clarified that this decision does not signal an immediate restart of the US-Israeli conflict with Tehran.
Earlier in the day, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi concluded his own diplomatic trip to Islamabad. During his visit, he met with Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir—who plays a central role in mediation efforts—as well as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Previously, the White House had indicated that Trump’s representatives, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were scheduled to travel to Pakistan’s capital for direct talks with Iranian officials aimed at advancing a potential agreement. But speaking to Fox News, Trump said he had canceled the mission.
“We hold all the leverage. They can reach out whenever they want, but we’re not going to keep making long, exhausting trips just to engage in pointless discussions,” he said, describing what he told his team.
When asked by Axios if this meant fighting might resume, Trump responded that it did not necessarily signal a return to hostilities, adding that no such decision had been made.
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed that Araghchi had departed Islamabad and arrived in Muscat for meetings with Omani leaders. He is also expected to continue on to Russia for further talks on ending the conflict, which began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran.
In a post on X, Araghchi described his visit to Pakistan as highly productive, saying he presented Iran’s stance on a practical plan to bring the war to a lasting close. However, he added that it remains unclear whether Washington is genuinely committed to diplomacy.
Even before Trump’s announcement, prospects for renewed negotiations appeared uncertain. Iranian state media reported that Araghchi had no intention of meeting US officials directly, suggesting instead that Pakistan would act as an intermediary to relay Iran’s proposals.
The urgency for a resolution has increased as the Strait of Hormuz—crucial for global oil and gas shipments—remains shut. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated they intend to maintain their effective blockade of the strategic waterway, a move that has unsettled energy markets.
In a statement, the Guards emphasized that controlling the strait and leveraging its strategic pressure remains central to Iran’s approach toward the US and its regional allies.
In response, the United States has imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports. Iran’s military leadership warned that continued US actions in the region would provoke retaliation.
Efforts to resume negotiations have stalled since the initial round of US-Iran talks, which also took place in Pakistan. Tehran has refused to reengage while the US naval blockade continues, and has allowed only limited ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
European Council President Antonio Costa called for the immediate and unrestricted reopening of the vital shipping route, stressing its importance to the global economy.
On another front, Trump recently announced a three-week extension of a ceasefire in Lebanon, expressing optimism about the chances for peace after talks with Israeli and Lebanese representatives.
However, Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad urged Lebanon’s government to step back from direct negotiations with Israel, warning that any long-term peace agreement would lack broad domestic support.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of attempting to derail peace efforts, reiterating his commitment to dismantle the Iran-backed group.
Despite the ceasefire, violence persists. Lebanon’s health ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes in the southern districts of Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil killed six people on Saturday.
In Sidon, a coastal city, 74-year-old Ahmad Shumar and his family prepared to return to their hometown in the south after abandoning an earlier attempt due to safety concerns.
“We’re heading back home now, unsure whether it will be peace or more conflict—we’ll find out,” he said, surrounded by packed belongings.
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