Trump Cancels Special Envoys’ Trip to Pakistan for Iran Talks

President Donald Trump has called off a planned visit by two special envoys to Pakistan that was intended to promote peace negotiations with Iran, just two months following the onset of the conflict.

Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the Middle East, and Jared Kushner, the special envoy for peace missions, were set to arrive in Islamabad on Saturday morning to engage directly with an Iranian delegation. However, Trump announced on Truth Social later that afternoon that he scrapped the trip, expressing frustration with his workload. He mentioned, “I wasted my time traveling and had too much work!”

Trump further commented on the internal instability within the Iranian leadership, saying, “Nobody knows who’s in charge, including them.” He asserted, “We have all the cards, and they don’t have any! If you want to talk, all you have to do is call!!!”

When approached for comments, the White House directed inquiries to Trump’s posts on Truth Social.

About half an hour before Trump’s announcement, Axios Global Affairs correspondent Barak Ravid reported that Trump said he was canceling the envoys’ visit due to Iran’s stance in the ongoing negotiations.

In a follow-up comment, Trump remarked, “I don’t see the point in putting them on an 18-hour flight under the current circumstances. It’s too long.” He added, “We can do the same thing on the phone. If the Iranians want to, they can call us. We’re not going to travel just to sit there.”

When pressed by Ravid, Trump denied that the cancellation indicated a continuation of hostilities in Iran. “No, that’s not what I meant. I haven’t thought about it yet,” he replied.

Similarly, in a conversation with Fox News correspondent Aisha Husney, Trump reiterated that the trip was unnecessary, suggesting that the delegation could reach out to the U.S. at any time without the need for an extended journey. “We don’t need to sit around and do another 18-hour flight without talking,” he said.

Prior to the cancellation news, there were hints that the meeting was unlikely to take place. Ravid reported that Witkoff and Kushner were still in Miami that morning, indicating that “no progress appears to be made at this stage.”

White House press secretary Caroline Levitt had confirmed the envoys’ planned trip, saying they were scheduled to meet directly with the Iranian delegation, who had reached out at Trump’s request. She expressed hope for a productive conversation that might lead to an agreement.

This was not their first trip; Witkoff and Kushner had previously been in Islamabad for talks with the Iranian delegation on April 12.