U.S. President Donald Trump has called off a planned diplomatic trip by his envoys to Pakistan aimed at advancing peace talks with Iran, but insisted the move does not signal an immediate return to hostilities.
The cancelled visit had been expected to involve key U.S. representatives engaging Iranian officials in Islamabad in a bid to de-escalate tensions following the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said he halted the trip, arguing that further lengthy negotiations were unnecessary at this stage. However, when asked whether the decision pointed to a renewed military campaign, he dismissed the idea, saying no such step had been considered.
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, concluded a diplomatic visit to Islamabad, where he met with senior Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military chief Asim Munir. The talks were part of broader mediation efforts to find a path toward ending the conflict.
Araghchi described his engagements in Pakistan as productive, noting that Iran had presented proposals for a workable framework to bring the war to a permanent end. He later travelled to Muscat for further consultations and is expected to continue diplomatic outreach in Russia.
Despite these efforts, prospects for renewed negotiations remain uncertain. Iranian officials have indicated reluctance to engage directly with the U.S. while a naval blockade on Iranian ports remains in place.
Tensions have also intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they would maintain control over the waterway, while warning of consequences if U.S. actions in the region persist.
Meanwhile, the conflict has spilled into Lebanon, where a fragile ceasefire continues despite sporadic violence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of undermining peace efforts, even as civilians remain uncertain about the prospects for lasting stability.
