Why the “oblique” US-Iran talks are on the point of collapse on Day 57
US President Donald Trump has cancelled a deliberate journey to Pakistan by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for Iran peace talks, Fox Information reported on Saturday, citing the president. Trump added to Fox Information, “They’ll name us anytime they need.”
The White Home on Friday mentioned Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner can be going to Pakistan’s capital to try to revive ceasefire negotiations. On Day 57 of the Iran battle, the transfer underscores the uncertainty round diplomacy, as Iran’s Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad with out assembly US officers, whilst Pakistan tried to dealer oblique negotiations, information businesses Reuters and the Related Press reported.
Araghchi held talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Military Chief Asim Munir, outlining Tehran’s “pink traces” earlier than departing, AP reported. There was no signal of direct engagement with US envoys, Reuters and AP mentioned.
Araghchi later described his go to to Pakistan as “very fruitful,” including in a social media put up that he had “shared Iran’s place regarding (a) workable framework to completely finish the conflict on Iran. Have but to see if the U.S. is actually severe about diplomacy”.
Iranian media reported that Araghchi had flown to Oman’s capital Muscat, saying he would meet with senior officers to “focus on and trade views on bilateral relations and regional developments”.
Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araqchi meets Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on this screengrab taken from a video launched April 25, 2026. (REUTERS)
‘Not going to be making any extra 18-hour flights’: Trump
In a short cellphone interview, Trump instructed Fox Information that he instructed US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner “you’re not going to be making any extra 18-hour flights to take a seat round speaking about nothing”. Trump additionally mentioned of the US aspect “we now have all of the playing cards”.
Trump says ‘an excessive amount of time wasted on touring’
The US president has weighed in on his Fact Social platform to elucidate why he referred to as off the deliberate journey to Pakistan by his envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for Iran peace talks.
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“I simply cancelled the journey of my representatives going is Islamabad, Pakistan, to fulfill with the Iranians. An excessive amount of time wasted on touring, an excessive amount of work!” Trump wrote.
“Apart from which, there’s large infighting and confusion inside their ‘management’. No one is aware of who’s in cost, together with them. Additionally, we now have all of the playing cards, they’ve none!”
Iran attracts pink traces, rejects US strain
Tehran signalled it isn’t able to уступ on Washington’s phrases. “Principally, Iranian aspect won’t settle for maximalist calls for,” an Iranian diplomatic supply instructed Reuters.
Araghchi mentioned Iran had conveyed its “principled positions” on the ceasefire and the top of what it calls an “imposed conflict,” whereas agreeing to proceed engagement by Pakistan’s mediation, in line with Reuters and AP.
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The US maintained strain. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned Iran nonetheless had an opportunity to make a “whole lot,” including it should abandon nuclear weapons “in significant and verifiable methods,” Reuters reported.
Trump had earlier mentioned Iran was making ready a suggestion to fulfill U.S. calls for, although particulars stay unclear.
Oblique talks solely, belief deficit deep
Iran has dominated out direct engagement, insisting all communication be routed by Pakistan, Reuters reported, whereas AP highlighted Islamabad’s position as a mediator.
The distrust stems from earlier failed nuclear talks that had been adopted by U.S.-Israeli strikes — the set off for the present conflict, AP reported.
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A earlier spherical of negotiations in Pakistan involving US Vice President JD Vance lasted over 20 hours however ended with no breakthrough, in line with AP.
Iran-US Talks: What We Know — And What We Do not
Journey cancelled by Trump
Witkoff/Kushner Pakistan journey scrapped — confirmed to Fox Information by Trump himself. White Home had introduced it simply ~24 hrs earlier.
Trump’s quote on file
“Not making 18-hour flights to take a seat round speaking about nothing” — Trump to Fox Information. The sharpest public sign but of US frustration.
US “has all of the playing cards”
Trump’s framing: US holds leverage, Iran should provoke. “They’ll name us anytime they need.” Positions America because the social gathering not looking for talks.
~24-hour reversal
White Home formally introduced the Pakistan journey on Friday. Trump cancelled inside ~24 hours — the quickest diplomatic reversal of this battle cycle.
Araghchi with Sharif + Munir
Iran’s FM met Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Military Chief Asim Munir. Outlined Iran’s pink traces to Pakistani aspect, then departed — no US contact made.
Zero US-Iran contact
No direct or oblique engagement between Araghchi and US envoys in Islamabad. Iran agreed to proceed through Pakistan however dominated out direct talks.
Hegseth’s nuclear demand
Hegseth: Iran should abandon nuclear weapons “meaningfully and verifiably.” Iran’s diplomatic supply instructed Reuters: “won’t settle for maximalist calls for.”
Hormuz choked, Brent +16%
Strait all the way down to a handful of vessels vs ~130/day pre-war. Brent up ~16% this week, ~50% above pre-war baseline. Prior Vance spherical: 20+ hrs, no outcome.
Tactic or breakdown?
Whether or not cancellation is a strain transfer or real collapse is unclear. Trump’s “they’ll name us” is per each readings — and he hasn’t clarified.
Was Pakistan warned?
No confirmed report that Pakistan was notified earlier than Trump introduced the cancellation on Fox Information. If true, a big diplomatic slight to Islamabad.
Iran’s pink traces
Araghchi outlined pink traces to Pakistani officers — however their particular contents haven’t appeared in any sourced report. Core sticking level stays opaque.
Iran’s “provide” contents
Trump mentioned Iran was “making ready a suggestion.” What it accommodates — concessions, situations, timelines — has not been detailed in any sourced report.
Pakistan channel standing
Iran agreed to proceed through Pakistan — however whether or not that channel stays practical after the US no-show and public Fox Information cancellation is unconfirmed.
US return situations
What would convey the US again to the desk past the nuclear ask is unspoken. No situations, timeline, or mediator named by White Home or State Dept.
Hormuz as leverage?
Whether or not the Hormuz disruption — choking transport and spiking Brent — is being intentionally used as diplomatic leverage by both aspect is unclear.
Ceasefire sturdiness
No formal ceasefire settlement exists. With talks suspended, contemporary Israel-Hezbollah clashes in Lebanon already reported. How lengthy the pause holds is open.
Strait of Hormuz disruption shakes world markets
Even with preventing paused, the financial fallout is deepening.
Delivery by the Strait of Hormuz — a key world vitality route — stays severely restricted, Reuters reported, with solely a handful of vessels crossing in comparison with round 130 each day earlier than the conflict.
Drone view of oil tanker HELGA berthed at considered one of Iraq’s southern offshore oil terminals close to Basra because it prepares to load crude oil, turning into the second vessel to reach because the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, on April 24, 2026. (REUTERS)
Oil markets stay unstable: Brent crude has jumped about 16% this week and continues to be practically 50% larger than pre-war ranges, Reuters and AP mentioned.
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The disruption is rippling throughout world provide chains, affecting commerce routes far past the Gulf, AP reported.
Iran says it retains “agency management” over the strait and warned it is going to reply to any continued US “blockade and piracy,” in line with Reuters.
Ceasefire holds, however tensions persist
An open-ended ceasefire — prolonged by Trump — has paused most preventing, permitting restricted normalcy to return. Flights resumed from Tehran after weeks of shutdown as a result of battle, Reuters reported.
Nonetheless, regional tensions stay excessive. Contemporary clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon underline how fragile the scenario is regardless of a parallel ceasefire extension, Reuters and AP reported.
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Rising toll on Day 57
The conflict, which started with US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has precipitated heavy casualties throughout the area:
- Not less than 3,375 killed in Iran
- Over 2,490 in Lebanon.
- 23 in Israel.
- Greater than a dozen in Gulf states.
- Casualties additionally embody US troops and UN peacekeepers.
(With inputs from Reuters, AP)
