As concerns over declining U.S. birthrates increasingly shape Republican political messaging, several high-profile pregnancies within President Donald Trump’s administration have emerged as public symbols of a broader conservative campaign promoting motherhood, family formation and pronatalist policy narratives.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gave birth on May 1, becoming the first serving White House press secretary in U.S. history to deliver a child while holding the position. Her pregnancy, along with those of Katie Miller and Second Lady Usha Vance, has been prominently discussed across conservative media and political circles as evidence of what some Republicans describe as a “pro-family” administration.

The pregnancies have coincided with growing debate inside the Republican Party over gender roles, family policy and the economic pressures shaping decisions about parenthood in the United States. Federal data cited in the discussion showed U.S. fertility rates fell again in 2025 to another record low, intensifying political focus on demographic decline and family formation.

Leavitt publicly framed motherhood in explicitly personal and ideological terms throughout her pregnancy. In a social media post accompanying a maternity photo shoot, she wrote: “There is no greater blessing than motherhood. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” Earlier, following a March baby shower attended by White House staff at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, Leavitt said she felt “blessed” to be surrounded by supportive women before the arrival of her second child.

Conservative commentators and Republican-aligned media outlets have increasingly connected such public messaging to broader electoral narratives. A January opinion article in The Wall Street Journal described Republicans as the “party of parents” while portraying Democrats as increasingly disconnected from family-centered voters.

Political analysts interviewed in the original reporting said the symbolism attached to these pregnancies extends beyond personal milestones. Ronnee Schreiber said the messaging functions politically because it aligns closely with President Trump’s broader goals around birthrates, traditional family structures and cultural identity.

According to Schreiber, the visibility of pregnant women within senior Republican circles provides a powerful embodiment of the administration’s pronatalist rhetoric in ways broader political messaging cannot easily replicate.Miller, a conservative media figure married to senior White House adviser Stephen Miller, has been among the administration’s most vocal advocates for pronatalist arguments online.

In one March social media post, she wrote that “children shouldn’t be delayed for careers” and described families as foundational social institutions. Her social media activity has frequently linked declining Western birthrates to broader cultural and immigration debates.

The Republican emphasis on family growth, however, has unfolded alongside internal tensions over the role of working mothers and government support for childcare. While the administration has celebrated motherhood publicly, critics and academics cited in the reporting questioned whether Republican policy proposals adequately address the economic realities facing American families.

“We can’t take care of daycare,” President Donald Trump reportedly said during a closed-door Easter event, according to the article, while discussing the country’s broader economic and geopolitical responsibilities.Researchers and policy analysts noted that rising housing costs, childcare expenses and grocery prices continue to influence decisions around parenthood.

The article also referenced concerns about federal spending reductions affecting social safety-net programs, including Medicaid and food assistance initiatives that many families rely upon.According to the report, Republican proposals connected to family policy have included expanding child tax credits while reconsidering federal support mechanisms tied to daycare and childcare assistance.

More than 80% of stay-at-home parents in the United States are women, according to figures cited in the article.Tammy Vigil said the Republican Party faces an unresolved contradiction between promoting women into visible political leadership positions while simultaneously endorsing rhetoric favoring traditional domestic roles for mothers.

That debate has also surfaced within conservative intellectual circles. Writer Maria Baer of the Institute for Family Studies argued in commentary cited by the report that no institution requires women more than their own children, reflecting arguments increasingly common among socially conservative groups advocating for larger families and traditional household structures.

Leavitt’s own work schedule became part of that discussion after she returned to work shortly after giving birth to her first child during the 2024 presidential campaign. According to the report, she initially planned a short leave before returning to work only days later following the assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Her rapid return was praised in some conservative circles as evidence of loyalty, discipline and professional commitment. Others on the political right criticized later comments in which Leavitt said balancing work and motherhood provided “the greatest perspective,” arguing the remarks undervalued stay-at-home parenting.The tensions surrounding motherhood and professional identity have been particularly visible in discussions around Usha Vance.

Before becoming second lady, Vance worked as a lawyer and clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts. During her pregnancy announcements and public appearances, however, she largely emphasized family life and parenting.In comments tied to the launch of her children’s podcast, “Storytime With the Second Lady,” Vance highlighted support received from military medical staff and White House personnel while balancing public responsibilities with raising children.

The article noted that Vance has largely avoided publicly addressing the administration’s immigration crackdown, despite demographic experts identifying immigration as a significant factor influencing population growth trends in the United States.Miranda Brady said the administration’s pronatalist rhetoric conflicts with immigration enforcement policies that may reduce population growth.

Brady argued that concerns around fertility decline risk becoming politically distorted when detached from broader demographic and economic realities.The discussion surrounding Republican pronatalism has increasingly merged with wider ideological debates over immigration, cultural identity and gender roles. Miller’s social media commentary frequently referenced concerns about migration and demographic change while linking them to declining birthrates across Western countries.

Despite the administration’s public emphasis on family growth, federal fertility data cited in the article indicated no measurable reversal in long-term demographic trends. Analysts interviewed throughout the report said economic pressures, childcare costs and labor market realities continue to shape family planning decisions more strongly than political messaging alone.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he expected Tehran to respond “supposedly tonight” to a proposal delivered through Pakistani mediators, but no official Iranian reply had been made public by Saturday evening.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi questioned Washington’s intentions during a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, according to remarks published by Iran’s ISNA news agency.

“The recent escalation of tensions by American forces in the Arabian Gulf and their numerous actions in violating the ceasefire have added to suspicions about the motivation and seriousness of the American side in the path of diplomacy,” Araghchi said.The comments followed a confrontation on Friday in which a U.S. fighter jet fired on and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers that Washington said had challenged an American naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.

An Iranian military official, quoted by local media, said Iran’s navy had retaliated against what he described as “American terrorism with strikes,” adding that the clashes had since ended.The incident came less than a day after another flare-up in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes for global oil exports.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Friday that it was “unacceptable” for Tehran to exert control over the waterway, through which a substantial share of global crude shipments passes.The Trump administration has sought to reopen commercial navigation through the strait after Iran restricted maritime access following the outbreak of conflict on Feb. 28, triggered by joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.

Washington later imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, escalating tensions across Gulf shipping lanes and contributing to volatility in international energy markets.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Friday the latest U.S. proposal remained “under review.”

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Washington on Friday to discuss Pakistani-mediated efforts to secure a longer-term settlement.Separately, satellite imagery indicated an oil slick spreading near Kharg Island, Iran’s principal oil export hub in the Gulf.

Monitoring group Orbital EOS estimated the slick initially covered more than 20 square miles before appearing to diminish by Saturday.The UK-based Conflict and Environment Observatory said the spill may have originated from damaged or leaking oil infrastructure, though the exact cause remained unclear.

Kharg Island plays a central role in Iran’s energy exports and has become increasingly sensitive amid the ongoing confrontation over Gulf shipping routes and oil flows.

The confrontation marked the latest escalation in a 10-week war that began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and has since destabilized shipping lanes, disrupted oil exports and widened hostilities across the Middle East.U.S. Central Command said an F/A-18 Super Hornet used precision-guided munitions against the two vessels to prevent them from continuing toward Iranian waters through the Gulf of Oman, a strategic maritime corridor connected to the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian officials condemned the attack as a breach of the ceasefire and accused Washington of undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts.An Iranian military official told local media that naval forces had “responded to the violation of the ceasefire and to American terrorism with strikes,” adding that the clashes had subsequently ended.

The incident followed renewed tensions overnight in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy transit chokepoint through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes. An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader compared strategic control of the strait to possessing “an atomic bomb.”U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Rome that Washington expected Tehran’s response later Friday to a new American proposal aimed at extending the truce to facilitate broader negotiations.

“It is unacceptable” for Iran to control the strategic waterway, Rubio told reporters, expressing hope Tehran would present “a serious offer.”At the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration anticipated receiving a formal Iranian response by nightfall.“I’m getting a letter supposedly tonight, so we’ll see how that goes,” Trump said.

According to regional officials, Washington delivered the latest ceasefire proposal through Pakistani mediators, seeking an extension of the Gulf truce to create space for negotiations over a permanent settlement.Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the proposal remained “under review,” according to the ISNA news agency.

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Irvani, submitted a letter to the U.N. Security Council accusing the United States of violating the ceasefire through the tanker strikes.In Washington, Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met U.S. Vice President JD Vance to discuss Pakistani-led mediation efforts aimed at securing a lasting peace arrangement.

Satellite imagery released Friday indicated an expanding oil slick off Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s principal oil export terminal. Monitoring firm Orbital EOS estimated the spill covered more than 20 square miles off the island’s western coastline, though the cause was not immediately determined.

Kharg Island remains central to Iran’s oil export infrastructure and sits north of the Strait of Hormuz, where commercial shipping disruptions since February have contributed to heightened volatility in global energy markets.Iran largely closed the strait following the outbreak of war on Feb. 28, prompting sharp increases in oil prices and renewed security deployments by Western naval forces.

The United States later imposed a maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports.Trump earlier this week announced a naval initiative aimed at reopening the strait to commercial traffic before reversing course in favor of renewed diplomacy.On a parallel front in Lebanon, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah said it launched missiles toward an Israeli military base near Nahariya in response to Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon.

Hours later, Hezbollah announced a separate drone attack targeting another Israeli base in the north.Israel has continued operations against Hezbollah despite an existing ceasefire agreement. On Wednesday, Israeli forces carried out their first strike in a month on Beirut’s southern suburbs, saying a senior Hezbollah commander had been killed.

Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes in the south killed 10 people on Friday, including women and children, while Lebanon’s civil defense agency said one of its personnel was also killed.The escalation comes ahead of planned direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Washington next week, talks Hezbollah has publicly opposed.

The exchange follows recent remarks by Trump accusing the pope of being lenient on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a claim Leo denied, reiterating that the Catholic Church has consistently opposed nuclear weapons and advocates for peace.

“The mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace,” Leo said on Tuesday, responding to Trump’s comments. He added that while criticism was inevitable, his position remained rooted in longstanding Church teaching against nuclear arms.

Trump, speaking on a radio program, suggested the pope’s views could endanger people, asserting that Leo appeared to tolerate the idea of Iran possessing nuclear weapons. The Vatican has maintained that the pope has never endorsed such a position and has instead opposed the ongoing war, which the US administration says is aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program.

US Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch said Rubio’s visit would focus on dialogue rather than confrontation. “Nations have disagreements, and one way to address them is through fraternity and authentic dialogue,” Burch told reporters, adding that the secretary of state would seek to “talk through” any differences.

Burch dismissed suggestions of a deep rift between Washington and the Vatican, framing the visit as an opportunity to improve mutual understanding. Rubio, a Catholic, previously met Leo following the pope’s inaugural mass last year, alongside Vice President JD Vance.Rubio is also scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday.

Meloni has publicly defended the pope, while members of her government have raised concerns about the broader geopolitical implications of the Iran conflict.

Leo, marking his first year as head of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church this week, has emerged as a vocal critic of the Iran war in recent weeks. He has also spoken out against US immigration policies and called for renewed dialogue between the United States and Cuba.

In February 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assumed office as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services with a message that diverged from conventional public health framing.

Addressing employees, he described the United States’ primary challenge as not only chronic disease but a broader “spiritual malaise,” linking public health outcomes to moral and personal factors. He stated that solutions must begin with “a spiritual question” centered on individual responsibility.Within weeks of that address, the White House initiated plans to reduce staffing levels at the department by 20,500 positions, according to the provided data.

The move came as the agency continued to manage a range of public health responsibilities, including disease prevention and response.In March 2025, during what was described as the country’s most significant measles resurgence in 34 years, Kennedy reiterated his emphasis on non-medical dimensions of health.

Speaking to an audience of medical trainees, he referred to “malevolent forces” and framed responses in terms of “spiritual warfare,” describing family routines such as shared meals as part of the response.

Over the course of his tenure, Kennedy has also promoted a range of alternative or non-mainstream health approaches cited in the material, including the use of vitamin A for measles, peptides for longevity, and the consumption of raw milk. At the same time, he has questioned aspects of vaccine safety and efficacy, positions that have drawn attention within public health discussions.

Analysts and observers cited in the material link Kennedy’s rhetoric to broader political currents. Savannah Tate, who has written about her experience within religious movements, described the use of terms such as “spiritual warfare” as consistent with language associated with Christian nationalist ideology.

She characterized such language as part of a broader narrative framework that emphasizes conflict between opposing moral forces.The material describes Christian nationalism as a movement advocating alignment between governance and a specific interpretation of Christianity, including the potential erosion of the separation between church and state.

Some political figures referenced in this context include Russell Vought, identified as associated with the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” and Donald Trump, who has described his administration’s agenda as addressing internal challenges, including “anti-Christian bias.”Other officials cited include JD Vance, who has referred to Christianity as foundational to American identity, Pete Hegseth, who has described the United States as a Christian nation, and Mike Johnson, who has supported policies aligned with conservative religious positions.

Public health experts referenced in the material have raised concerns about the implications of such rhetoric. Gary Gunderson, a professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, stated that the use of religious language in governance could affect the relationship between scientific institutions and public trust. He described the development as an attempt to reshape the basis of that relationship.

Academic research cited in the material, including work by sociologists Joseph Baker, Stephen Perry, and Andrew Whitehead, suggests that tensions between religious and scientific frameworks may arise where science is perceived as an alternative source of authority.

Within the Department of Health and Human Services, internal tensions have also been reported. Calley Means, a senior adviser to Kennedy, has publicly described efforts to reform institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

His statements included references to combating “demonic forces,” directed in part at former officials such as Demetre Daskalakis, who later resigned following policy changes including the dismissal of members of a federal immunization advisory committee.Budgetary decisions have accompanied these policy and rhetorical shifts.

According to figures cited in the material, reductions include $518 million from National Institutes of Health research grants, $698 million from the National Science Foundation, $6.9 billion from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs, and $28 billion from the Environmental Protection Agency. A proposed 2027 budget includes a $16 billion reduction in HHS funding compared to 2026 levels.

Additional reductions include $389 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, with a portion of funding redirected toward faith-based initiatives addressing addiction. These measures have been linked to Kennedy’s stated emphasis on addressing underlying “spiritual” causes of health conditions.

The material also outlines financial and institutional intersections involving individuals in advisory roles. Calley Means, identified as co-founder of Truemed, held substantial equity in the company while advising the administration, according to disclosed financial records cited in the text.

The company facilitates purchases of wellness-related products using health savings accounts.Other figures referenced include Mark Hyman, associated with wellness businesses, and Nicole Saphier, who replaced a previous nominee for surgeon general. These developments are presented as part of a broader shift in health policy priorities and messaging.

The material further describes how rhetoric emphasizing personal responsibility and skepticism toward institutions may influence public perceptions of healthcare. A cited example involves a South Carolina family declining vaccination despite severe health consequences, referencing statements attributed to political leaders about vaccine schedules.

Researchers such as Fatima-Zahra Aklalouch have analyzed the communication strategies used in this context, noting a framing that contrasts “natural” and “unnatural” approaches to health. According to her analysis, such framing can align with broader ideological narratives that question institutional authority.

Trump said he had ordered envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner not to travel to Islamabad, where mediation efforts had been centered following the arrival of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for talks with Pakistani officials.

Speaking before departing Florida and later in comments to Fox News, Trump said the revised Iranian offer failed to meet U.S. expectations and dismissed the value of sending negotiators for extended talks.“I’ve told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18-hour flight to go there,’” Trump said, according to Fox News.

“We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want.”In a post on Truth Social, Trump added that there was “tremendous infighting and confusion” within Iran’s leadership and said, “Nobody knows who is in charge, including them.”

The cancellation dealt a setback to mediation efforts in Islamabad, where Araghchi had concluded meetings with Pakistani leaders without direct contact with U.S. representatives.

Araghchi described the visit as “very fruitful,” while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Tehran would not accept what he called “imposed negotiations” conducted under threats or blockade.

Iran urged Washington to remove operational restrictions, including measures affecting Iranian ports, while maintaining that it would not accept maximalist demands.“Principally, Iranian side will not accept maximalist demands,” an Iranian diplomatic source in Islamabad told Reuters.

Tensions remain elevated across the region despite a ceasefire currently in force after a conflict that began on Feb. 28 with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Tehran later launched retaliatory strikes against Israel, U.S. military bases and Gulf states, escalating fears of a broader regional war.

The standoff has also disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, while U.S. restrictions on Iranian oil exports remain in place, pushing energy prices to multi-year highs and adding pressure to global inflation and growth.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered forces to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon “forcefully,” testing a fragile three-week ceasefire and underscoring the broader instability surrounding the negotiations.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had said earlier that Washington had seen some progress from Iran in recent days and hoped for further movement over the weekend.Vice President JD Vance, who led an earlier unsuccessful round of indirect talks in Islamabad this month, had also been prepared to travel again if negotiations advanced.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran still had an opportunity to reach an agreement if it made verifiable commitments on its nuclear program.“All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways,” Hegseth said.

Iran’s foreign ministry later confirmed that no direct meeting with U.S. officials had been planned during Araghchi’s visit and said Tehran would instead convey its position through Pakistan as mediator.

Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, and said he was armed with multiple weapons before being stopped by Secret Service personnel near the event’s main security perimeter.

One law enforcement officer was struck in a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover, according to officials cited by The Associated Press.Addressing reporters later at the White House, Trump said the suspect had been carrying several weapons and described the officer’s survival as the result of close-range protective gear performance.

“He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job,” Trump said.The incident unfolded just as Trump was preparing to deliver remarks at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, his first attendance at the annual event as president.

Guests inside the subterranean ballroom reported hearing between five and eight shots before Secret Service agents rushed toward the president.Witnesses said agents surrounded Trump onstage as guests ducked beneath tables and shouted warnings echoed through the hall.

During the evacuation, Trump briefly stumbled and was helped to his feet by security personnel before being escorted out.The banquet hall, filled with journalists, political leaders and public figures, was immediately placed under lockdown. National Guard personnel and law enforcement officers secured exits while helicopters circled overhead and surrounding streets were sealed off.

Among those evacuated were Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson.Johnson later said he and his wife were “praying for our country tonight,” while House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said “The violence and chaos in America must end.”

Republican Representative Mike Lawler of New York, who attended the dinner, said the uncertainty in the room escalated quickly after the first loud noise.“We didn’t know what the hell it was,” Lawler said, adding that threats against public officials have become increasingly common.

The event briefly appeared likely to resume as staff reset tables, refilled water glasses and prepared Trump’s teleprompter. However, White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang later announced the dinner would be canceled and rescheduled.“We will do this again,” Jiang told attendees.

The annual dinner, traditionally attended by presidents, journalists, lawmakers and celebrities, has long served as one of Washington’s most visible intersections of politics and media. Trump had not attended during his first term or the first year of his second term, making Saturday’s appearance particularly notable given his administration’s strained relationship with the press.

In recent months, Trump’s administration has clashed repeatedly with major media organizations including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press, while facing criticism over restrictions on press access and legal disputes involving journalists.

Ahead of the dinner, nearly 500 retired journalists signed a petition urging the correspondents’ association to take a stronger stand against what they described as threats to press freedom.Outside the hotel, a small group of protesters gathered before the event, some carrying signs criticizing the administration’s treatment of the media.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the suspect’s motive or how he reached the security perimeter of one of Washington’s most heavily protected political events.

The White House said Witkoff and Kushner would hold an “in-person conversation” with Iranian representatives in Islamabad, but Iranian state media reported that direct negotiations were not planned and that Pakistan would instead act as an intermediary.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who arrived in Islamabad on Friday, delivered Tehran’s negotiating demands and concerns over U.S. conditions to Pakistani officials, a Pakistani source involved in the discussions told Reuters.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi’s visit focused on “ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability,” without explicitly confirming face-to-face engagement between Iranian and American officials.

Security across Islamabad was tightened sharply before the talks, with major roads sealed, military checkpoints reinforced, and troops deployed around the capital’s airport and heavily fortified Red Zone.Residents reported widespread disruption as police and soldiers controlled key intersections, helicopters circled overhead, and airport access routes were placed under heightened surveillance following the Iranian delegation’s arrival late Friday.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the renewed talks followed an Iranian request for direct engagement after President Donald Trump urged Tehran to return to negotiations.“The Iranians reached out, as the president called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation,” Leavitt said, adding that the talks would “hopefully move the ball forward toward a deal.”

Vice President JD Vance, who led a first round of negotiations in Islamabad earlier this month that ended without agreement, remained on standby to travel if required.Iranian state television, however, said Araghchi had no intention of meeting U.S. officials directly and that Islamabad would serve only as a channel for conveying Tehran’s proposals to Washington.

Iran’s military on Saturday warned it would respond if the United States continued what it described as a blockade of Iranian ports, calling the move “banditry” and “piracy.”In a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB, Iran’s central military command Khatam Al-Anbiya said that if “the invading U.S. military continues blockading, banditry, and piracy in the region,” it would face retaliation from Iran’s armed forces.

“We are ready and determined, while monitoring the behavior and movements of enemies,” the statement said.Iran’s Defense Ministry separately said Washington was seeking a “face-saving” way to withdraw from the war.

“Our military power today is a dominant force, and the enemy is looking for a face-saving way to escape the war quagmire it has become trapped in,” ministry officials were quoted as saying by ISNA.Diplomatic efforts have stalled in recent weeks as Iran refused to rejoin formal negotiations while a U.S. naval blockade on its ports remained in place.

At the same time, Tehran has imposed a de facto restriction on the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only limited shipping through the strategic waterway that handles roughly one-fifth of global oil trade.The disruption has unsettled energy markets and raised concerns over broader supply chain instability.

Oil prices fell on Friday as hopes grew that the Islamabad talks could lead to de-escalation.European Council President Antonio Costa said the immediate reopening of the strait was essential.“The strait must immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling,” Costa said.

“This is vital for the entire world.”Major Wall Street indexes closed at record highs on Friday as investors responded positively to corporate earnings and expectations of diplomatic progress.Meanwhile, Washington expanded its military presence in the region with the deployment of its third aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush, to the Middle East.

Araghchi is expected to travel next to Oman and Russia for further consultations on ending the conflict launched on Feb. 28 between Iran, Israel, and the United States.

The Islamabad talks are being closely watched as a potential turning point for whether the current ceasefire evolves into a broader settlement or gives way to renewed confrontation across the region.

“No, I wouldn’t use it,” Trump told reporters at the White House, referring to nuclear weapons. “Why would I use a nuclear weapon when we’ve, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it?” he added, while also stating that such weapons “should never be allowed to be used by anybody.”

The remarks come after Trump earlier this month warned that Iran faced destruction, comments that drew scrutiny before a ceasefire was agreed and subsequently extended.

During the conflict, Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to intensify its military response using capabilities not previously deployed, though the White House denied that nuclear weapons were under consideration.

Trump reiterated that his objective was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, saying he sought an Iran “without a nuclear weapon” that could threaten U.S. cities or regional stability. Tehran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear arms, and the International Atomic Energy Agency has said an atomic weapon was not imminent prior to the outbreak of hostilities.

The United States remains the only country to have used nuclear weapons in combat, during the final stages of World War II, when atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but has not publicly confirmed their existence.

Trump’s statement appears to contrast with longstanding U.S. nuclear doctrine, which has not ruled out the potential use of nuclear weapons under certain conditions.

Previous administrations, including that of Barack Obama, have advocated for reducing nuclear risks while maintaining deterrence capabilities.

A Pakistani source involved in the negotiations said discussions were “on track” for Wednesday, despite earlier indications from Iran that it might not attend. U.S. President Donald Trump could join the talks either in person or virtually if an agreement is reached, the source added.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan for the переговоры, according to media reports, while Iranian officials said Tehran was “positively reviewing” whether to send a delegation, without confirming participation.

The diplomatic push comes as a two-week ceasefire in the conflict, which began on February 28, nears its end. A Pakistani source said the truce is expected to expire late Wednesday U.S. time.Financial markets reacted to signs of renewed diplomacy, with oil prices falling more than $1 and equities rising in early Asian trading amid expectations that talks could resume.

Brent crude traded near $94 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell below $88.Tensions remain elevated, however, following disputes over the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and the recent interception of an Iranian vessel.

Tehran condemned the seizure and warned Washington would bear responsibility for any escalation.Iranian officials also reiterated that they would not negotiate under pressure. Senior figures, including Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused Washington of attempting to force concessions through economic and military pressure.

Washington has said it seeks an agreement that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while stabilizing energy markets. Tehran, for its part, is seeking relief from sanctions and an end to hostilities without compromising its nuclear program.

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations, as the waterway handles a significant share of global oil and gas shipments and has been affected by restrictions imposed during the conflict.

Pakistan, acting as a mediator, has deployed nearly 20,000 security personnel in Islamabad ahead of the potential talks, underscoring the high stakes and security concerns surrounding the negotiations.