President Trump abruptly called off a planned diplomatic trip to Pakistan by two senior envoys, saying the U.S. has no reason to chase uncertain talks with Iran right now.
Fox News White House correspondent Aishah Hasnie reported Saturday that Trump personally phoned her with the decision, which halts travel plans for Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner just hours before their scheduled departure.
A Last-Minute Decision
The timing stands out. The delegation was set to embark on an 18-hour flight to Pakistan for discussions tied to rising tensions with Iran and ongoing ceasefire efforts in the region.
Trump said the trip wasn’t worth it.
“We hold all the cards,” he told Hasnie, according to her report, arguing there’s little value in sending top envoys halfway around the world for talks that might not lead anywhere.
Hasnie noted that the president added that the Iranians can contact the United States at any time.
Doubts About the Talks
The cancellation follows growing uncertainty over whether direct U.S.-Iran engagement in Pakistan would even materialize.
Officials had been weighing the possibility of backchannel or indirect discussions tied to broader efforts to contain conflict in the region. But expectations were uneven at best, with no clear signal that meaningful переговорations were locked in.
Strait of Hormuz Still a Flashpoint
The backdrop to all of this is the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed to most international shipping.
That choke point is critical. A significant share of the world’s oil supply typically moves through the strait, and disruptions there ripple quickly through global markets and security calculations.
Efforts to stabilize the situation have included talk of ceasefires and regional de-escalation. The now-canceled Pakistan meetings were seen as one possible channel to ease tensions.
A Signal on Strategy
Trump’s move sends a clear message about how his administration is approaching the situation.
Instead of prioritizing immediate diplomacy, the White House appears focused on maintaining leverage. The “all the cards” remark, a phrase Trump has used previously, signals confidence in shaping outcomes without entering negotiations prematurely.
It also raises the stakes. Walking away from even tentative discussions limits immediate diplomatic options, especially as tensions around Iran and key shipping routes remain unresolved.
Casualty Estimates Vary as Economic Impact Deepens
Reports on fatalities vary due to restricted access and limited transparency, but independent organizations and state media provide the following estimates as of early to mid-April:
- Iran: Between 3,375 and more than 6,600 people killed. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has documented 3,636 deaths, including 1,701 civilians, among them at least 254 children.
- Lebanon: Approximately 2,491 deaths and more than 7,700 injuries, largely attributed to Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah.
- United States: 15 service members killed and more than 500 wounded in action.
- Israel: Between 43 and 44 fatalities, including 16 soldiers and 28 civilians.
- Regional Impact: Additional fatalities have been reported in Iraq (117+), the United Arab Emirates (13), Kuwait (10), and other Gulf states following Iranian retaliatory strikes.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other analysts have described the conflict as the “greatest global energy security challenge in history.”
- Energy Crisis: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. Brent crude has surged above $106 per barrel, while Asian LNG spot prices have risen by approximately 140%.
- GDP Loss: Global economic losses are estimated at a minimum of $590 billion, with projections reaching as high as $3.5 trillion if the conflict continues.
For now, the White House is betting that patience, and pressure, will deliver more than a rushed meeting ever could.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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Iran is trying to delay, delay, delay … in hopes that democrats will gain enough power from the mid-term voting so that the U.S. will be forced by the Democrats to back away from Iran like a paper tiger.
I would never tell someone HOW to vote, but I would and do tell people WHY they should vote a certain way.
If we give in to Iran, they soon will again have active programs for manufacturing long range missiles and nuclear bombs … with which to attack the U.S. with the intent to destroy us!
Which is worse? A relatively small war to stop an attack on the U.S. and our allies, or a major war on us at their command?
They clearly stated that they plan to do it! Why should we allow them to do so?
When someone says that they plan to kill you … you should believe them!