Iran’s Foreign Minister Returns To Pakistan After US Envoys’ Trip Canceled

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has returned to Islamabad on Sunday, where he is expected to participate in talks focused on ending the war with the U.S., Iranian state media reported.

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been expected to head to Islamabad Saturday for peace talks, but President Trump said he canceled their trip to Pakistan.

Mr. Trump said Sunday that any possible Iran talks can take place over the phone. “If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone,” the president told Fox News, adding, “We’re not sending people to travel 18 hours to meet.

“President Trump’s decision to cancel the Witkoff-Kushner visit was very wise, in as much as Iran’s response since the ceasefire has been continued attacks on international shipping and more provocation,” Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and one of Mr. Trump’s closest allies in Congress, said on social media.

“The blockade has been brilliant in concept and execution,” he said. “I applaud the president and his team for growing the blockade and making it global.”

Graham said he spoke with the president Sunday “about the way forward” in the Iran war, and has “every confidence that he has many good options to make sure the gains against the Iranian regime are maintained, and most importantly, sustained.”

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had planned to travel to Pakistan this weekend to participate in another round of peace talks, but Mr. Trump said he called off their visit. He said an offer he received from Iranian officials to agree to a lasting peace deal was “not enough.”