Trump Cancels Visit of Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan

SadaNews - After Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi concluded a visit to Islamabad, at a time when U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to arrive later this week amidst efforts to hold a new round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington, President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of the U.S. delegation's trip to Pakistan.

Trump stated, "I told Witkoff and Kushner not to travel for 18 hours to sit and talk in vain," according to Fox News.

The White House clarified that Iran's position prompted him to cancel Witkoff and Kushner's visit to Pakistan.

However, he indicated that this decision does not mean a resumption of war just yet.

He added, "The Iranians can contact us whenever they want," pointing out that Tehran has no leverage.

Trump's remarks came as it was expected that the U.S. delegation, headed by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would arrive in Islamabad at night for talks with Pakistani officials.

However, informed sources confirmed that the two men had not yet departed Washington, according to Axios. They also noted that Witkoff and Kushner were not expected to meet with Araghchi today.

Despite this, White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt stated yesterday that the U.S. delegation would hold direct talks with the Iranian side in Pakistan.

Since the end of the first round of direct negotiations held in Islamabad two weeks ago between the Iranian and American sides, which did not result in an agreement, tensions between the two countries have escalated.

The U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports on April 13, while Iranian threats kept maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz nearly paralyzed.

Tehran has also stuck to demands presented to Pakistan, which included lifting the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, stopping U.S. threats and ongoing warfare, as well as retracting exaggerated conditions (including fully abandoning uranium enrichment).