WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed strong optimism about a potential peace agreement with Iran, stating that Tehran has “agreed to almost everything” and hinting that he may travel to Islamabad if the deal is finalised there.
Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn before departing for visits to Nevada and Arizona, Trump struck a confident tone regarding ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“I would go to Pakistan. Pakistan has been great. They have been so great… if the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go,” he said, underscoring Islamabad’s growing centrality in high-stakes negotiations.
The US president reiterated that Washington and Tehran were “very close” to reaching a deal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, adding that discussions could resume as early as the weekend.
Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary, with its civil and military leadership actively engaged in intensive diplomatic outreach to bring both sides back to the negotiating table.
The recent Islamabad Talks, held over the weekend, did not yield a final agreement, but laid the groundwork for continued engagement.
A Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in effect, temporarily halting hostilities that began following US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
Diplomatic sources indicate that efforts are underway to extend this truce or transition towards a more comprehensive agreement.
Iran cannot do business because of the blockade. They have no navy, no air force, no anti-aircraft equipment. They have nothing. pic.twitter.com/mBnBgVOkrV
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 16, 2026
Trump also praised Pakistan’s leadership, specifically acknowledging Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their roles in facilitating dialogue and reducing tensions.
He noted that Field Marshal Asim Munir, currently engaged in regional diplomacy, has played a constructive role in advancing mediation efforts.
Pakistan’s parallel diplomatic initiatives include high-level engagements with key global stakeholders to consolidate support for peace.
Despite his optimistic outlook, Trump cautioned that failure to reach an agreement could result in a resumption of hostilities. “If there’s no deal, fighting resumes,” he warned.
The US president added that Iran had agreed to relinquish enriched uranium stockpiles, referring to them as “nuclear dust,” as part of the proposed deal framework.
Washington has long maintained that any agreement must ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons capability.
“We had to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon… They’ve totally agreed to that. They’ve agreed to almost everything,” Trump said, adding that relations with Iran’s current leadership were “very good” and markedly different from the past.
He also indicated that the current ceasefire, set to expire next week, might be extended if necessary, though he suggested a deal could make such an extension unnecessary.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s diplomatic momentum continues on multiple fronts. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is on a four-day regional visit to Riyadh, Doha, and Istanbul, while Field Marshal General Asim Munir is leading a delegation in Tehran as part of ongoing mediation efforts.
According to diplomatic sources, Pakistan has also facilitated exchanges of messages between Washington and Tehran, helping narrow differences on key issues.
These efforts are supported by broader international engagement, including outreach by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to counterparts in the United Kingdom, China, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
The coordinated push aims to sustain the ceasefire, build consensus, and prepare the ground for a second round of formal negotiations, potentially again in Islamabad.
Developments in Lebanon, including a recently announced ceasefire, are also influencing the broader diplomatic landscape. Sources indicate that Iran is closely assessing regional dynamics and the credibility of US commitments before finalising its position.
As diplomatic activity intensifies, Islamabad is increasingly being viewed as a crucial platform for conflict resolution, with global attention now turning to whether a historic agreement between the United States and Iran can be sealed in Pakistan’s capital.
