Trump Considers Pakistan Visit Amid Iran Negotiations

President Trump has mentioned the possibility of visiting Pakistan if negotiators are able to finalize a deal during the upcoming talks about Iran. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to arrive in Islamabad on Monday night ahead of a meeting on Tuesday with Iran’s negotiator, according to a phone interview he gave to The New York Post. Jared Kushner, who has participated in earlier negotiations in the area, will also be there. Interestingly, Vice President J.D. Vance won’t be joining this round, citing security concerns, which he shared with ABC News. Meanwhile, Qatari officials are already present in Islamabad in case Trump decides to visit, although Trump noted that any trip might occur later.

The two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran ended recently, and previous direct discussions between the two nations wrapped up on April 11 after 21 hours without reaching any resolution. Trump refuted claims that his team suggested a 20-year freeze on Iran’s uranium enrichment, emphasizing his stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Over the weekend, events in the Persian Gulf complicated diplomatic discussions. Two Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats targeted a tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by the British Maritime Trade Operations Center. On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the trade route through the strait was “fully opened,” but the following day, Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council conditioned its reopening on the full removal of the U.S. naval blockade.

Trump continues to exert public pressure on Iran. He warned that if Iran “refuses to sign this deal, the entire country will face severe consequences.” The president has also reiterated threats to target Iranian infrastructure and urged the government to discard its nuclear ambitions.