Trump’s envoys Witkoff and Kushner to fly to Pakistan for Iran talks

The White House has confirmed that Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, will travel to Islamabad for discussions with Iran on Saturday. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted that “the Iranians want to talk,” while noting that Vice-President JD Vance is “on standby” to join the delegation if the talks yield positive results.

Iran’s Response and Regional Focus

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei stated that he and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had arrived in Islamabad early Saturday. Araghchi is set to meet “Pakistani high-level officials” to discuss matters. Baqaei clarified:

“No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US. Iran’s observations would be conveyed to Pakistan.”

The Iranian embassy in Islamabad further mentioned that Araghchi intends to “review bilateral matters” and examine regional developments.

Background on the Conflict

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized on Friday that Tehran has an opportunity to secure a “good deal” by abandoning a nuclear weapon in “meaningful and verifiable ways.” He also warned that Washington’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical oil shipping channel—was “growing and going global.” This comes after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February, prompting Tehran to restrict shipping through the strait.

The ongoing tensions have led to a significant rise in global oil prices. Leavitt noted that Trump’s decision to send Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan was aimed at “hearing the Iranians out,” underscoring the president’s commitment to diplomacy. She added that “we’ve certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days.”

Ongoing Negotiations and Mixed Messages

Despite Trump’s public statements, the administration has been actively pursuing behind-the-scenes efforts to de-escalate the conflict. The continuation of talks this weekend highlights the disparity between official rhetoric and diplomatic initiatives. Both sides appear to be exploring a path toward resolution, even as mixed signals persist.

JD Vance, who led the first round of discussions earlier this month, is not confirmed to attend the upcoming negotiations. His absence may indicate that a major breakthrough is not anticipated. However, the fact that talks are proceeding suggests mutual interest in a deal. On Wednesday, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be opened until “the blatant violations of the ceasefire” by the US and Israel are addressed.

Ghalibaf accused the US of imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports and Israel of “warmongering on all fronts,” effectively holding the global economy “hostage.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran’s openness to negotiations but pointed out that “breach of commitments, blockade, and threats are the primary barriers to genuine negotiations.” Trump recently extended the ceasefire indefinitely to allow for further dialogue.