Trump cancels US envoys' trip to Pakistan for Iran peace talks

• US President Donald Trump abruptly canceled the planned trip of US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad.
• Trump asserted that the US holds "all the cards" and stated that Iranian officials can call Washington directly.
• The cancellation coincides with the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already departed Pakistan.

US President Donald Trump has canceled a planned trip by top American negotiators to Pakistan, where they were anticipated to participate in peace talks with Iranian officials.

Speaking to Fox News’ White House correspondent Aishah Hasnie on Saturday, Trump confirmed that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will no longer be making the journey to Islamabad to meet with mediators and Iranian representatives.

'We have all the cards'

The president argued that the lengthy diplomatic mission is unnecessary, asserting that the United States currently dictates the terms of the geopolitical standoff and possesses overwhelming leverage.

"I've told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, 'Nope, you're not making an 18-hour flight to go there,'" Trump detailed during the interview.

Emphasizing that the burden of communication now lies with Tehran, Trump added, "We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing."

No envoy doesn’t resume war

US President Donald Trump told Axios that there is “no point” in sending officials on long flights for talks in the current phase of negotiations, suggesting that discussions with Iran can be handled remotely.

“I see no point of sending them on an 18 hour flight in the current situation. It’s too long. We can do it just as well by telephone,” Trump said. “The Iranians can call us if they want. We are not gonna travel just to sit there.”

When asked whether his comments indicated a possible return to war, Trump rejected the idea.

“No. It doesn’t mean that. We haven’t thought about it yet,” he said, clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as a signal of renewed war.

Iranian delegation departs

The abrupt cancellation from the American side comes amid shifting dynamics on the ground in the mediating nation.

According to recent reports, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already concluded his diplomatic visit to Pakistan. Araghchi reportedly departed Islamabad on Saturday following high-level discussions with the country's prime minister, casting further doubt on the immediate timeline and viability of the internationally mediated peace negotiations.