President Trump on Saturday abruptly scrapped a planned round of U.S.-Iran negotiations in Pakistan, accusing Iranian leaders of internal dysfunction and asserting that Washington holds all the leverage. The move upends what had been a fragile diplomatic channel mediated by Islamabad.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he canceled the travel of his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, who were scheduled to depart for Islamabad on Saturday to engage with Iranian representatives. The president wrote that he called off the trip because Iran had declined direct talks and because of what he described as “tremendous infighting and confusion” within Iran’s leadership.
“Nobody knows who is in charge, including them,” Trump wrote. “Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!”
Earlier on Saturday, an Iranian delegation met with Pakistani mediators in a bid to advance a framework for ending hostilities. The two sides are currently observing a ceasefire, which Trump extended earlier this week. But Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, characterized the talks as “very fruitful” and said his team had presented a proposal for a “workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran.”
Yet Araghchi struck a skeptical tone about American intentions, posting on X: “Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy.” His comment underscores the deep mistrust that has plagued the indirect negotiations, which have been conducted through Pakistani intermediaries.
Iran’s embassy in South Africa escalated rhetoric on Saturday, warning that Tehran is prepared to launch the “largest missile strike in history” against U.S. and Israeli bases in West Asia if attacked. The statement, posted on X, reflects the high stakes as both sides continue to trade threats even amid the ceasefire.
Separately, Iranian officials disputed a White House claim that direct talks were planned for this weekend. Esmaeil Baqaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, wrote on X Friday that Tehran only agreed to indirect conversations through Pakistani officials. “No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S.,” Baqaei stated. “Iran’s observations would be conveyed to Pakistan.”
The collapse of this mediation round comes amid broader skepticism about the viability of a deal. Former national security adviser John Bolton has dismissed the prospect of an Iran agreement, while former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed doubts about the talks. The diplomatic impasse also highlights Iran’s strategic leverage, including its ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil supplies.
Trump’s decision to cancel the talks suggests a pivot away from the mediation track, at least for now. With the president declaring that America holds all the cards, the path to a negotiated end to the conflict appears increasingly uncertain.
