US President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned visit by American officials to Pakistan for talks on the Iran conflict, shortly after Tehran’s delegation departed Islamabad.
Trump said special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner would be wasting “too much time”, adding that if Iran wanted discussions, “all they have to do is call”.
Earlier, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with Pakistani officials, saying he had conveyed Tehran’s position on ending the war but remained uncertain whether Washington was “truly serious about diplomacy”.
Diplomatic efforts have slowed despite Trump extending a ceasefire that was due to expire on April 22 to allow more time for negotiations.
The US and Iran remain locked in a strategic standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has restricted passage through the strait following US and Israeli strikes in February, while Washington has increased its naval presence to curb Iranian oil exports.
The White House had earlier indicated that Iran was open to talks, but Tehran clarified that no direct meeting with US officials was planned.
Trump maintained that the ceasefire would hold, even as prospects of another round of face-to-face talks faded. Responding to questions on whether the cancelled visit could lead to renewed conflict, he said the US had “not thought about it yet”.
Pakistan has played a key mediating role in recent weeks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks with Araghchi in Islamabad, describing the exchange as “warm and cordial”.
Earlier discussions between senior US and Iranian officials, facilitated by Pakistan, ended without agreement. US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American side in the initial round of talks, had been on standby to join further negotiations if progress had been made.
The conflict continues to weigh heavily on global trade. The near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz—through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes—has disrupted shipments of crude, liquefied natural gas and fertilisers.
Benchmark Brent crude oil prices remain nearly 50 percent higher than pre-war levels. Iran has reportedly attacked multiple vessels this week, while the US has tightened its maritime posture in the region.
