US President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned trip by his envoys to Islamabad for ceasefire talks with Iran, citing wasted time and infighting within Iranian leadership. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: 'I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going to Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians. Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work!' He added that there is 'tremendous infighting and confusion within their leadership' and that 'nobody knows who is in charge'.
The cancellation came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had left Pakistan empty-handed, though he described his visit as 'very fruitful'. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Tehran would not enter 'imposed negotiations' under threats or a blockade, and that the US must first remove 'operational obstacles' including its blockade on Iranian ports before talks can proceed.
Efforts to resume US-Iran talks remain stalled as the global oil route through the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed due to an Iranian blockade. The US Navy is clearing mines from the strait, but Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they have no intention of lifting their blockade. The US has imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports in retaliation, and Iran's military has warned of a response to continued 'blockading, banditry and piracy'.
European Council President Antonio Costa insisted the waterway 'must immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling', calling it 'vital for the entire world'. Meanwhile, Trump later told reporters that minutes after cancelling the envoy trip, Iran provided a 'much better' paper, though he did not disclose its contents. The diplomatic breakdown underscores the fragile state of ceasefire efforts in the US-Iran conflict.
