Key Points:
- Trump cancels envoys’ Islamabad visit
- Says US holds strong negotiating leverage over Iran.
- Urges Tehran to initiate talks “anytime”.
- Signals strategic pause, not end to diplomacy.
- Pakistan remains potential venue for future talks.
ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump has reinforced Washington’s hardline stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, declaring that Tehran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, while also acknowledging Pakistan’s role in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. It’s that simple. pic.twitter.com/qeG6j2LdZg
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 25, 2026
Speaking to reporters, Trump made it clear that the central issue in any future negotiations remains Iran’s nuclear programme. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Very simple,” he said, underlining the United States’ core demand amid shifting diplomatic signals.
Pakistan’s role acknowledged
Trump praised Pakistan’s leadership for its constructive engagement in facilitating discussions. “I think Pakistan is terrific. I think the field marshal is fantastic. I think the Prime Minister of Pakistan is great,” he said, indicating appreciation for Islamabad’s efforts to bring parties closer to negotiations.
Earlier, in a sharp shift in diplomatic signalling, US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he had cancelled a planned visit by American envoys to Islamabad for talks with Iranian officials.
“I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going to Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians. Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work… Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
.@POTUS: “You probably heard that we canceled the trip. We have all the cards. We’re not going to spend 15hrs in airplanes all the time, going back and forth, to be given a document that was not good enough. So, we’ll deal by telephone, and they can call us any time they want.” pic.twitter.com/wZ3Twz4XpY
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 25, 2026
Earlier, in remarks to Fox News, Trump said he personally directed his team not to proceed with the trip, which was aimed at continuing discussions on ending the ongoing conflict.
“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 said during a phone interview.
The US president emphasised that Washington currently holds a strong negotiating position, adding that further travel was unnecessary at this stage.
“We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want,” he said, suggesting that the next move now rests with Tehran.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just told me over the phone he has unilaterally cancelled Witkoff and Kushner’s trip to Pakistan to meet with the Iranians.
“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…
— Aishah Hasnie (@aishahhasnie) April 25, 2026
Diplomacy still open
Despite the decision to cancel the visit, Trump’s remarks indicate that diplomacy has not been ruled out. Instead, the move appears to reflect a shift in strategy, with the United States expecting Iran to take the initiative in resuming talks.
Pakistan, which had been expected to host the discussions, continues to be viewed as a potential venue for future diplomatic engagement if negotiations resume.
The development comes amid ongoing efforts by regional and international stakeholders to find a negotiated path to de-escalation, with Islamabad seen as playing a constructive and facilitative role in bringing parties to the table.
