ISLAMABAD: U.S. President Donald Trump has characterised high-level negotiations between the United States and Iran held in Islamabad as positive, noting that while agreements were reached on several key points, no progress was made regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
The President stated that the talks lasted approximately 20 hours, beginning in the morning and resulting in movement on various issues; however, fundamental differences over nuclear ambitions remained, with Iran reportedly unwilling to alter its current position.
The President’s statement also addressed the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that Iran had promised to open the waterway. According to the President, this commitment has not been fully implemented, leading to global unrest and heightened concerns within the shipping sector, though these claims have not been confirmed by independent sources. Additionally, the U.S. President remarked that certain actions taken against Iran have impacted its international reputation and raised concerns regarding violations of international laws.
The diplomatic session was hosted by the Pakistani leadership in Islamabad, with President Trump noting that he was briefed on the proceedings by Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. The President praised the significant roles played by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, commending the Pakistani leadership for their efforts in reducing regional tensions and facilitating the negotiation process.
While the statement described the atmosphere of the negotiations with Iranian representatives as friendly, the nuclear issue continues to be the primary point of contention. The U.S. maintained its firm stance during the talks, asserting that Iran cannot be permitted to obtain nuclear weapons.
