world 25 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Trump Halts US Envoys' Visit to Pakistan Amid Iran Mediation Chaos
President Donald Trump has scrapped a planned trip by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Pakistan on Iran mediation, following Iran's foreign minister's abrupt departure. The move highlights deepening tensions after failed negotiations, with Trump citing confusion in Iranian leadership. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/trump-cancels-envoys-trip-to-islamabad-5436340
President Donald Trump has cancelled a scheduled visit by two key US envoys to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. The trip aimed to discuss mediation efforts in the ongoing conflict with Iran, but was called off after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi left without achieving any progress.
In a social media statement, Trump pointed to ‘tremendous infighting and confusion’ within Iran’s leadership as the reason. He emphasized that the US holds all the leverage and urged Iran to reach out if serious about talks, dismissing further travel as wasteful.
Araqchi had met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials, but no breakthrough emerged. An Iranian diplomatic source indicated Tehran rejects Washington’s ‘maximalist demands’ and rules out direct negotiations.
The standoff persists with Iran restricting the Strait of Hormuz—a vital route for global oil and gas—while the US curbs Iranian exports. The conflict, under a fragile ceasefire, erupted from US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, followed by Iranian retaliations against Israel, US bases, and Gulf states, driving up energy prices worldwide.
Earlier talks led by Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad also failed, though the White House noted slight recent progress from Iran and expressed hope for more.