Planned US-Iran talks in Islamabad cancelled

On April 26, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled the trip of American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, effectively calling off the planned talks with Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had previously arrived in Pakistan to convey Tehran’s negotiation positions to local officials rather than meeting directly with the U.S. side. Following the cancellation, Trump cited internal confusion and lack of leadership in Tehran on his Truth Social account, while emphasizing that the move does not imply a resumption of war. In response, Araghchi expressed skepticism regarding the seriousness of U.S. diplomatic intentions. Reports from Israeli and other media noted that Tehran was unwilling to engage in direct talks until the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is lifted. The Iranian delegation subsequently left Pakistan for Oman. While the U.S. had previously engaged in 15 hours of suspended talks with Iran two weeks prior, current efforts remain stalled.