(L-R) U.S. Vice President JD Vance and U.S. President Donald Trump listen to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speak during a meeting with Lebanon Ambassador to the U.S. and Israel Ambassador to the U.S., at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 23, 2026. (Credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP)
U.S. President Donald Trump said he has canceled a planned trip to Pakistan by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which had been scheduled for Saturday, citing the “Iranian position in the negotiations,” according to Axios Global Affairs Correspondent Barak Ravid.
“I see no point of sending them on an 18 hour flight in the current situation [of the negotiations]. It's too long. We can do it just as well by telephone. The Iranians can call us if they want. We are not gonna travel just to sit there,” Trump said.
The decision followed diplomatic activity earlier in the day, when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistani officials in Islamabad. During those talks, Araghchi presented Tehran’s “demands” and outlined its “reservations” regarding U.S. proposals aimed at ending the conflict before departing the country.
When asked whether his comments signal a possible return to military action, Trump dismissed the idea but did not fully rule out future options.
“No. It doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet,” he said.
The developments highlight ongoing uncertainty in the negotiations, as both sides weigh their next steps amid continued regional tensions.
