WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US negotiation team would travel to Islamabad for peace talks with Iran, amid Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to end the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the US delegation would arrive in Islamabad “tomorrow evening” for talks aimed at reaching a deal with Tehran.
“My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan — They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations,” the US President said.
The US President said Washington was offering what he described as a “very fair and reasonable deal” to Tehran.
He warned that failure to accept the proposal could result in severe consequences.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran,” he said.
He added that Iran could either comply quickly or face further action, stating that it would be his “honour to do what has to be done”.
Referring to recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said that Iran had fired shots a day earlier, describing the action as a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
He claimed that several of the shots were directed at a French vessel and a freighter from the United Kingdom.
“Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement! Many of them were aimed at a French Ship, and a Freighter from the United Kingdom. That wasn’t nice, was it?” the US President stated.
Trump added that multiple ships were now heading to ports in Texas, Louisiana and Alaska to load cargo, attributing the development to actions by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Fox News, citing President Trump as saying, reported that Special Envoys Witkoff and Jared Kushner will lead the US delegation to travel to Islamabad for talks with Iran this week.
Trump leaves door open to Islamabad visit
President Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will lead the US delegation during the second round of talks with Iran in Islamabad, Trump told the New York Post in a phone interview on Sunday.
“Steve’s going to be there tomorrow night,” Trump said in a phone call from the White House, confirming that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will land in Islamabad on Monday night ahead of a second round of peace talks.
The President added that Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, will also be involved with the talks scheduled for Tuesday, the New York Post reported.
When told that officials from Qatar were spotted in Islamabad hoping to receive him should he come to Pakistan’s capital city, Trump didn’t sound surprised — and left the door open to coming to Islamabad if an agreement is reached, the New York Post reported.
“I would say maybe at a little bit later date. We have to see how it works out tomorrow,” he said.
Pressed on whether he could show up in Pakistan, Trump made clear he’s not getting ahead of the process — reiterating that he would “probably come at a later date.”
Later, a White House official told AFP that US Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation for talks with Iran in Pakistan.
Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will attend the talks, a White House official told AFP on condition of anonymity when asked about the makeup of the delegation after Trump’s comments.
CNN also cited the White House as telling that Vance is traveling to Pakistan for talks, along with Witkoff and Kushner.
As for Trump’s comments this morning saying Vance wasn’t making the trip, a White House official told CNN: “Things changed”
US reviewing US proposals for deal
Earlier, Iran’s state media reported that Tehran is reviewing fresh proposals from the US as diplomatic engagement continues under a carefully maintained ceasefire.
According to Iranian state media, the proposals were conveyed during a recent visit to Tehran by Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The Secretariat of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed that Tehran is assessing the proposals but has yet to issue a formal response.
While diplomatic channels remain open, Iran has reimposed restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the waterway would remain closed until the United States lifts what Tehran describes as an unlawful naval blockade on its ports.
Tehran maintains that Washington has violated the ceasefire by continuing its maritime restrictions.
Trump says ‘very good conversations’ ongoing
Meanwhile, Trump struck an optimistic tone on Saturday, telling reporters that “very good conversations” were underway with Iran.
“We’re talking to them… we’re taking a tough stand,” Trump said at the White House, suggesting that negotiations were progressing while reaffirming a firm US position.
He indicated that further updates on the talks could emerge soon but declined to take detailed questions.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Sunday acknowledged “measured progress” in ongoing discussions with the US.
In a televised address, Ghalibaf, who is also Iran’s Parliament Speaker, said that although dialogue had advanced, “a significant distance” still separates the two sides.
His remarks come amid continued diplomatic efforts following recent high-level talks held in Islamabad, which ended without a formal agreement but kept communication channels open.
Pakistan intensifies diplomatic efforts
Pakistan had earlier secured a 14-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, helping stabilise a situation that had severely disrupted global energy supplies and maritime traffic.
Tehran on Friday declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open” for commercial shipping for the first time since the war began, a move seen as a significant confidence-building measure.
The strategic waterway had been restricted by Iran following the launch of US and Israeli military operations on February 28, raising concerns over global oil flows and supply chains.
Pakistan has continued high-level engagement with regional stakeholders, including recent meetings in Tehran between Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Iran’s top leadership, aimed at sustaining dialogue and narrowing differences.
Pakistan’s role as a mediator has drawn increasing international attention, with officials and analysts noting its ability to maintain communication with both sides and facilitate talks at a time of heightened tensions.
As negotiations continue, Islamabad has positioned itself at the centre of diplomatic efforts to transform the fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace agreement, with Dar reiterating that flexibility from both sides will be key to ending the conflict permanently.
Pakistan seeks ‘permanent’ end to war
Pakistan has called for a “permanent termination” of the US-Israeli war on Iran, urging both Washington and Tehran to demonstrate flexibility as diplomatic efforts move closer to a potential agreement.
Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad’s objective goes beyond extending the current ceasefire, focusing instead on securing a durable and comprehensive end to the conflict, reports Turkish news agency Anadolu.
Pakistan wants a “permanent termination” of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Friday, calling on Washington and Tehran to “show flexibility.”
Pakistan has been actively mediating between the United States and Iran since the war began on February 28, hosting the highest-level talks between the two sides since they severed diplomatic ties in 1979.
Islamabad’s “objective is not ceasefire extension. Our main objective is the permanent termination of war,” Dar said, stressing the need for a formal agreement between the parties.
Providing an update on the progress of negotiations, Dar expressed confidence that a breakthrough could be within reach.
About Pakistan’s ongoing mediation, Dar said: “More than 80% of the work has been done. And a couple of things are (remaining)… both parties have to show flexibility.”
