US

AA / Istanbul / Berk Kutay Gokmen

President américain Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he had canceled the trips of special envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushner to Pakistan, where they were supposed to participate in discussions with Iranian officials, as reported by the media.

“I told my teams a little while ago, as they were getting ready to leave: ‘No, you’re not going to take an 18-hour flight to go there. We hold all the cards. They can call us at any time, but you’re not going on these long trips to sit down and talk about nothing,'” Trump told Fox News over the phone.

Additionally, the American president also told Axios in a phone interview that he saw “no point in sending them on an 18-hour flight,” adding, “We can do this just as well over the phone. The Iranians can call us if they wish. We’re not going to travel just to sit there.”

When asked about a possible resumption of hostilities, Donald Trump told Axios, “No. That does not mean that. We haven’t thought about it yet.”

A first round of talks was held in Islamabad two weeks ago, but no agreement was reached to end the conflict that erupted on February 28 and spread across the Middle East. These talks took place after a two-week ceasefire negotiated by Pakistan on April 8, which was later extended by Donald Trump.

Iran, on the other hand, refuses to engage in direct talks with the United States, stating that its positions will be communicated through Pakistan.

Key points of contention include the Strait of Hormuz, the American blockade of Iranian ports, and Iran’s enriched uranium.

*Translated from English by Adama Bamba