US Vice President JD Vance has put a planned visit to Islamabad on hold as Iran has not responded to US negotiating positions. Officials say the diplomatic process is paused, not cancelled, and could resume quickly if Tehran replies. The delay comes as the fragile US-Iran ceasefire approaches its expiry date.
International
-Sathish Raman
US Vice President JD Vances planned trip to Islamabad for US-Iran peace talks was put on hold. Local media reported the delay on Tuesday after Tehran did not answer US negotiating positions. The move came as the seven-week war entered a fragile phase under a temporary cease-fire.
US Vice President JD Vance has put a planned visit to Islamabad on hold as Iran has not responded to US negotiating positions. Officials say the diplomatic process is paused, not cancelled, and could resume quickly if Tehran replies. The delay comes as the fragile US-Iran ceasefire approaches its expiry date.
Vance was due to leave on Tuesday morning. Talks in Islamabad were expected to restart on Wednesday. That is also when the United States-Iran cease-fire is set to expire. A US official told The New York Times the process was paused, but the trip was not cancelled.
JD Vances Islamabad visit and US-Iran cease-fire deadline
The New York Times report said the visit could restart quickly if Iran replies. It said the reply must meet what President Donald Trump finds acceptable. US officials also wanted a clear sign that Irans negotiators were fully authorised to reach a deal.
The Washington Post linked the delay to extra policy meetings for Vance at the White House. As of midday Tuesday US time, Axios said Vance stayed in Washington. White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also remained in Washington, according to the same report.
JD Vances schedule and US-Iran negotiators travel plans
Axios reported a US government plane had been set to fly Witkoff and Kushner. The route was from Miami to Islamabad via Europe on Tuesday morning. The aircraft never left for that trip. It instead took off around noon and flew to Washington.
Trump accused Iran of breaking the ceasefire several times on Truth Social early Tuesday. In an interview with CNBC, Trump said the United States is “going to end up with a great deal from the negotiations.\” Trump added, \”I think they have no choice. Weve taken out their navy, weve taken out their air force, weve taken out their leaders,\”
JD Vances delay as Trump warns on US-Iran bombing
When asked about action if there is no deal by Wednesday, Trump said that he expects \”to be bombing, because that is a better attitude to go in with.\” Trump also said the military is raring to go. Trump has said the US is ready to resume attacks if the cease-fire ends without a deal.
Asked if the ceasefire would be extended to allow more time, Trump said, \”Well, I dont want to do that.\” Trump added, \”They have to negotiate.\” Trump also said, \”Iran can get themselves on a very good footing. If they make a deal, they can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again,\”
Trump repeated that the US is \”going to end up with a great deal with Iran to end the weeks-long war.\” Trump again said, \”I think they have no choice,\” and added, \”Weve taken out their navy, weve taken out their air force, weve taken out their leaders,\” Trump also said, \”Weve taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way, but these leaders are much more rational,\”
Trump said, \”It is regime change, no matter what you want to call it, which is not something I said I was going to do, but Ive done it indirectly.\” Earlier US-Iran talks on 11 and 12 April did not deliver the outcomes both sides wanted. Pakistan then worked to reduce tensions and support another round of dialogue.
With inputs from PTI
