US President Donald Trump indicated on Thursday that he might travel to Islamabad if a peace agreement with Iran to end the ongoing conflict is reached and signed in the Pakistani capital. He noted that Iran has agreed to nearly all terms discussed so far. Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn before departing for Nevada and Arizona, Trump expressed optimism about the progress in talks with Iran.
Trump mentioned the possibility of extending a US-Iran ceasefire, which is set to expire next week, though he suggested an extension might not be necessary. He praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating the dialogue, commending Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their efforts. “Pakistan has been great. I might go if the deal is signed in Islamabad,” he said.
The recent meeting in Islamabad, held three days after the ceasefire announcement last Wednesday, marked the first direct engagement between American and Iranian officials in over a decade and the highest-level contact since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf led their respective delegations during the talks, which addressed several critical issues. These included the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy transit route that Iran has effectively blocked, though the US has pledged to reopen it, as well as Iran’s nuclear program and international sanctions imposed on Tehran.
The trilateral discussions, known as the ‘Islamabad Talks,’ lasted nearly 21 hours starting on the afternoon of April 11, underscoring the complexity and high stakes involved. Despite extensive negotiations, the first round concluded without a formal agreement. Nevertheless, officials in Islamabad regarded the meeting as a major breakthrough in establishing direct communication channels between Washington and Tehran.
Separately, a proposal has been circulated to both Washington and Tehran to send delegations for resuming talks. Earlier on Thursday, Trump told the media that if no deal is reached, hostilities will persist, and the next meeting with Iran could occur over the weekend. Regarding the ceasefire, he noted significant progress, stating that Iran is now willing to accept terms it had previously rejected. He also claimed that Iran agreed to relinquish enriched uranium believed to have been hidden following US-Israeli airstrikes last year.
In addition, Trump expressed confidence in an impending agreement between Israel and Lebanon, suggesting that their leaders might meet at the White House within the next week or two. On another note, he voiced dissatisfaction with Australia for not supporting the US concerning the Strait of Hormuz situation.
