Trump hints at Islamabad trip if Iran deal is finalised
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WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he may travel to Islamabad if a final agreement with Iran is signed there, while claiming that Tehran has accepted “almost everything” currently under negotiation.
Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn before departing for Nevada and Arizona, Trump expressed optimism about Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts to end hostilities and secure a settlement before the current ceasefire expires.
“If a deal is signed in Islamabad, I may go,” he said. “They want me.”
He also indicated that the US-Iran ceasefire, set to expire next week, could be extended, although he suggested such a move might not be necessary if a deal is reached in time.
Mr Trump reiterated an unverified claim that Iran had agreed to surrender enriched uranium allegedly relocated and concealed after last year’s US-Israeli air strikes. The Iranian nuclear programme remains the central sticking point in the negotiations, and Washington continues to press for its complete dismantlement.
The US president has consistently advocated for a comprehensive deal under which Tehran would abandon its nuclear capabilities in return for sanctions relief and de-escalation.
His remarks came amid intensified diplomatic activity involving regional and international stakeholders, as efforts gathered pace to secure both an immediate ceasefire and a longer-term political settlement.
Trump, who has repeatedly praised Pakistan and its leaders as “extraordinary, kind and very competent”, has once again shown his ability to swing the global conversation with a single statement.
The 47th day of the US-Iran war began on Thursday with a glimmer of optimism. Major American media outlets, from the New York Times to online platforms, portrayed Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran as a possible peace mission — one that could help end the devastating conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan’s diplomatic push aims to turn the temporary truce into a lasting peace, with reports indicating a second round of negotiations could be hosted in Islamabad soon.
Earlier, Pakistan — which is mediating between Iran and the United States — said it expected to host a second round of peace negotiations between the two sides.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday that a second round of talks between the United States and Iran was expected to take place in Islamabad but declined to provide a date.
Speaking to reporters at a weekly news briefing, Andrabi said that Pakistan was maintaining “open channels of communication with the concerned parties”.
Meanwhile, authorities have stepped up security preparations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi ahead of a possible second round of talks, with officials reviewing and retaining the plan used during the first round.
Around 6,000 Islamabad police personnel, supported by Frontier Constabulary, Rangers and the army, will be deployed across the capital, particularly in and around the Red Zone.
In Rawalpindi, over 5,000 personnel will be on duty, with strict monitoring of entry and exit points, heightened surveillance and temporary restrictions on movement to ensure the security of visiting delegations.
While diplomatic momentum appeared to build, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a cautionary note, warning that Washington was prepared to resume military operations if negotiations failed.
“We urge the new Iranian regime to choose wisely,” Hegseth said, adding that the US military was “maximally postured” to restart combat operations if Tehran refused to agree to a deal.
Amid these mixed signals, Trump announced a separate diplomatic breakthrough, stating that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire following talks in Washington.
According to Trump, the truce would begin at 5pm Eastern Time, following discussions involving Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The Lebanon ceasefire is seen as a key precondition for Iran’s continued engagement in talks with the United States, with Tehran insisting that any agreement must include a halt to hostilities across all fronts.
Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue has been widely acknowledged.
“Pakistanis have been incredible mediators,” Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said after the army chief’s arrival in Iran. “The president feels it’s important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis.”
International media have also highlighted Islamabad’s growing diplomatic role. The New York Times noted that “Pakistani diplomacy has risen to the forefront of efforts to broker peace between the United States and Iran, as the top leaders of Pakistan tried to preserve a shaky cease-fire between the combatants and to again offer their country as the venue for potential talks.”
It noted that Field Marshal Asim Munir was “the first regional player to visit Iran since the United States and Israel began attacking it”.
Field Marshal Munir also met Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran. Pakistan helped negotiate a two-week ceasefire last week, scoring a major diplomatic victory. That ceasefire is to expire on April 21.
Munawer Azeem in Islamabad and Mohammad Asghar in Rawalpindi also contributed to this report
