Trump Pulls Envoys from Pakistan as Iran Nuclear Talks Stall

by | Apr 26, 2026 | News

President Trump abruptly canceled a planned trip by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad Saturday, citing what he described as confusion within Iranian leadership and wasted diplomatic effort.

“Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. We have all the cards — they can call us anytime.”

The diplomatic mission had been aimed at advancing nuclear negotiations through Pakistani mediation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had arrived in Islamabad Friday but departed Saturday without meeting US representatives, insisting Tehran would not accept “maximalist demands.”

In a twist, Trump claimed Iran submitted a revised proposal just minutes after he announced the cancellation — one he called significantly better than previous offers, though still insufficient.

The backdrop is grim: a ceasefire is holding following US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran that began February 28, but Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices have surged 16% in a week, and shipping through the critical waterway remains a fraction of normal. International flights resumed from Tehran’s main airport Saturday for the first time since the war began.

Trump indicated the canceled trip did not mean hostilities were resuming, but left the door open. “They can call us anytime they want,” he said.

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