Donald Trump said Saturday that there could still be progress in ongoing discussions with Iran, even after a planned round of talks was called off.
Earlier in the day, Trump announced that he had canceled a scheduled trip by U.S. representatives to Islamabad. The visit had been intended to facilitate indirect discussions with Iranian officials.
The canceled trip involved U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner. Both were expected to participate in the next phase of talks.
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According to Trump, the decision to cancel was based on concerns about time, logistics, and uncertainty within Iran’s leadership structure. He also suggested that further discussions could occur without in-person meetings.
Trump later indicated that communication with Iranian officials could continue through alternative channels. He suggested that direct travel was not necessary for negotiations to move forward.
The talks in Islamabad were part of a broader effort led by Pakistan to help maintain and extend a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
However, the planned meeting did not take place after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Pakistan without holding direct discussions with U.S. representatives.
Earlier rounds of discussions had been hosted by Pakistan, which acted as an intermediary between the two sides. These talks focused on reducing tensions and addressing key concerns.
Among the issues under discussion were Iran’s nuclear program and broader regional security matters. U.S. officials have consistently emphasized preventing nuclear weapons development.
JD Vance and other officials were involved in earlier stages of the negotiations, reflecting the high level of engagement from the U.S. side.
Trump stated that after canceling the trip, a revised proposal was received from Iranian representatives. He described it as improved, though not sufficient to reach an agreement.
Despite the setback, officials in Pakistan had previously expressed optimism about the possibility of progress. They indicated that efforts were underway to bridge differences between the two sides.
Negotiations have been complicated by differing conditions for engagement. Iranian officials have maintained specific requirements for direct talks, while the U.S. has emphasized its negotiating position.
As of now, no new in-person meetings have been scheduled. However, communication between the parties may continue through indirect or remote channels.
Separately, later that evening, officials including Trump and members of his administration were evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., following a security incident that remains under investigation.