Trump calls off envoys’ Pakistan visit; Iran says Tehran won’t negotiate under pressure

Diplomatic efforts to end the 58-day conflict between U.S.-Israel on one hand and Iran on the other hand hit a major roadblock on Sunday as President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a high-stakes envoy mission to Pakistan.

The U.S. team, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, was ordered to stand down just before departure.

Trump dismissed the 18-hour flight as “talking about nothing,” asserting that the U.S. holds “all the cards” and will now conduct diplomacy via telephone.

In Tehran, President Masoud Pezeshkian doubled down on his refusal to negotiate under “pressure, threats, or blockade.”

During a call with Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif, Pezeshkian condemned the U.S. naval blockade as a “clear breach” of ceasefire understandings.

While Trump claimed Iran submitted a “much better” proposal minutes after the cancellation, Tehran maintains that no progress is possible until the maritime siege is lifted.

Trump has rejected a new Iranian paper as “not good enough” and halted the diplomatic travel to Pakistan.

The U.S. Navy has continued to enforce a strict blockade of the Hormuz. The cargo ship Touska was recently seized by U.S. forces.

Washington demands a 20-year suspension of nuclear enrichment and custody of Iran’s uranium stockpile; a demand Tehran has bluntly refused.