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.

Araqchi said negotiations in Islamabad had been conducted in good faith but were undermined by what he described as “maximalism” and shifting U.S. demands, adding that the talks came close to producing an agreement before breaking down.

The remarks followed an announcement by Donald Trump that U.S. naval forces would begin blockading vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, a move that risks destabilizing a fragile ceasefire reached after weeks of conflict.

US Central Command said the blockade would take effect at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) and would apply to all maritime traffic linked to Iranian ports across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, while maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for vessels not bound for Iran.

Trump said the United States would act against ships paying what he described as “illegal tolls” to Iran and warned that any attack on U.S. or commercial vessels would trigger a strong military response.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said any approach by foreign military vessels to the strait would be treated as a violation of the ceasefire and met with a “decisive” response.

Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf dismissed the U.S. position, saying Tehran would respond in kind. “If you fight, we will fight, and if you come forward with logic, we will deal with logic,” he said, according to state media.

The talks in Islamabad marked the first direct engagement between the United States and Iran in more than a decade and followed a ceasefire announced earlier in the week after six weeks of conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel.

JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation, said no agreement had been reached, while signaling that diplomacy could continue. Trump also described the talks as “very friendly” and expressed confidence that Iran might return to negotiations.

A U.S. official said key sticking points included demands for Iran to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle enrichment facilities, transfer highly enriched material and end support for regional groups, alongside ensuring open access to the strait.

Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, said Tehran remained open to a “balanced and fair agreement,” blaming Washington for the breakdown and urging a return to international legal frameworks.

Shipping data showed that three fully laden supertankers transited the strait on Saturday, suggesting that maritime flows had not yet been fully disrupted despite the looming blockade.

In a televised address, Trump said U.S. forces had delivered “swift, decisive” results during 32 days of operations launched after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. He added that Washington was “on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly,” while warning of further heavy attacks if no agreement is reached.

The conflict has triggered widespread regional instability, with Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf states, and opening a parallel front in Lebanon. Thousands have been killed across the region since the escalation began.

Trump reiterated that the U.S. military campaign aimed to neutralize Iran’s strategic capabilities, including its nuclear program, saying recent strikes had prevented Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He did not provide evidence to support the claim.Despite the escalation, diplomatic prospects remain uncertain.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran is demanding a guaranteed ceasefire before halting its attacks and has not engaged in indirect talks on a temporary truce. Iran has also denied U.S. assertions that it requested a ceasefire.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a message addressed to the American public, said Iran holds no hostility toward ordinary U.S. citizens, though official positions suggest limited willingness to enter negotiations at this stage.The war has disrupted global energy markets, particularly after Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for roughly 20% of global oil and gas shipments.

Trump dismissed the strategic necessity of the passage for the United States and urged allies dependent on Gulf energy supplies to take steps to reopen it.Financial markets reacted negatively to the lack of a clear diplomatic roadmap, with global equities falling and oil prices rising following Trump’s address.

The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency warned the conflict was having “substantial, global and highly asymmetric” economic effects and signaled coordination on potential support measures.U.S. officials said backchannel discussions involving intermediaries, including Pakistan, were ongoing, though no breakthrough has been reported.

Trump indicated he remained open to a deal but warned that failure to reach one could result in expanded strikes, including potential targeting of Iran’s electricity infrastructure.The U.S. president also renewed pressure on allies, suggesting countries reliant on Middle Eastern energy should take a more active role in ensuring maritime security in the region.

European officials, however, have cautioned against military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, citing concerns over international law.

Trump has also raised the prospect of reassessing U.S. commitments to the NATO, criticizing what he described as insufficient support from European allies in addressing the crisis.

In the statement, Pezeshkian said Iran had attempted to avoid war through diplomatic engagement with neighbouring governments but that recent military actions by the United States and Israel had forced Tehran to act in self-defence. “We have strived alongside you and through diplomacy to avoid war, but the American-Zionist military aggression has left us no choice but to defend ourselves,” he wrote.

The Iranian president addressed the message to what he described as “friendly and neighboring states,” stressing that Tehran respects the sovereignty of countries across the Middle East. He added that regional security and stability should be achieved collectively by states in the region rather than through outside intervention.

Iranian officials have repeatedly framed their military posture in recent months as defensive, arguing that the country is responding to external threats. Pezeshkian’s remarks reflect Tehran’s long-standing position that regional security arrangements should be managed by Middle Eastern governments themselves.

The message appeared aimed at reassuring neighbouring governments that Iran’s response would not threaten their territorial sovereignty while also signalling that Tehran considers recent military actions against it to justify retaliation under self-defence.

A Clear-Edged Breakdown of Iran’s Strategic Shift Toward Saudi Arabia

According to political expert Mario Nawfal, Iran has taken a step it previously insisted it would never consider: requesting Saudi Arabia’s assistance in reopening nuclear talks with the United States. This outreach reflects a significant shift in Tehran’s approach and signals a moment shaped less by diplomatic confidence and more by mounting pressure.

A letter from President Masoud Pezeshkian was delivered to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shortly before the Saudi leader’s visit to the White House. The communication notably departed from Iran’s traditional revolutionary tone. Instead of confrontational rhetoric, it emphasised openness to dialogue and explicitly appealed for support in re-engaging with Washington.

The fact that Tehran is directing such a request to Riyadh—its longstanding regional rival—indicates that circumstances are tightening around Iran’s strategic environment.

Two core factors underpin this sudden shift in posture.

The first is fear. Israeli strikes in June targeted Iranian nuclear sites and, more importantly, undermined Iran’s sense of invulnerability. Tehran now perceives the possibility of further action if diplomatic efforts break down.

The second factor is survival. Iran’s economic situation continues to deteriorate, with the rial weakening sharply and energy shortages disrupting daily life. Public frustration is intensifying as these pressures accumulate.

Alongside these domestic concerns, Iran’s broader regional influence is eroding. Hezbollah is weakened, Hamas has been significantly damaged, and the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad has fallen. Collectively, these developments are rapidly reducing Tehran’s regional leverage.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia possesses advantages Tehran currently lacks: direct influence in Washington, a personal channel to former President Donald Trump, and regional authority grounded in economic strength, energy resources, and political stability. While Oman and Qatar are capable of transmitting messages, Saudi Arabia has the capacity to shape outcomes.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has indicated an openness to facilitating diplomatic progress—not as an act of benevolence, but because a U.S.–Iran conflict would generate serious consequences across the Gulf region.

Both Iran and the United States publicly endorse diplomacy, yet neither is willing to accommodate the other’s demands. Iran’s clerical establishment maintains that negotiations cannot occur “under threat.” However, the current threats surrounding Tehran are also the primary drivers pushing it toward engagement.

During a visit to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, President Pezeshkian met with senior officials and scientists to review the status of the nation’s nuclear program.

He reiterated Tehran’s long-standing position that its nuclear pursuits are dedicated to advancing medical, technological, and energy-related research, as well as improving the welfare of Iranian citizens.

“Destroying buildings and factories will not create a problem for us; we will rebuild and with greater strength,” Pezeshkian stated, referring to facilities damaged in previous strikes.

He highlighted that Iran remains committed to its sovereignty and self-reliance in science and technology, despite facing external pressures and sanctions over the years.

In June, the United States carried out airstrikes on several Iranian nuclear sites, claiming that the facilities were part of a weapons-related program.

Washington argued that these actions were necessary to prevent nuclear proliferation in the region. However, Tehran rejected the allegations, insisting that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful and civilian applications, including medical research, energy production, and agricultural development.

U.S. President Donald Trump, commenting on the situation, warned that Washington would consider additional military measures if Iran attempted to rebuild the targeted facilities.

In response, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s right to develop and maintain nuclear technology within the framework of international law and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“Our program is not designed for war or confrontation,” Pezeshkian said. “It is all intended for solving the problems of the people, for health, for research, and for the country’s progress.”

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization has long played a central role in advancing the country’s scientific and industrial capacity. Officials said that the reconstruction process would focus on modernizing infrastructure and enhancing the safety and efficiency of nuclear facilities.

International observers have noted that Iran continues to cooperate with the IAEA on monitoring and verification activities. The agency has previously confirmed that Iran’s declared nuclear materials remain under safeguards, though recent tensions have raised questions about the future of diplomatic engagement between Tehran and world powers.

President Pezeshkian’s administration has signaled its willingness to engage in dialogue, provided that the nation’s rights to peaceful nuclear energy are respected. Iranian officials argue that scientific independence is vital for national development and that international collaboration, rather than confrontation, is the best path toward regional stability.

Economic experts in Tehran believe that rebuilding the nuclear infrastructure could also create new opportunities for investment in science and technology, energy production, and education. The government has expressed its intent to involve local universities and research institutions in the process, aiming to foster innovation and create jobs for young scientists.

Observers say that Pezeshkian’s remarks reflect a broader vision of national resilience, focusing on rebuilding essential facilities while avoiding escalation with other countries. The president’s tone appeared measured, emphasizing progress, cooperation, and Iran’s adherence to international norms.

As reconstruction efforts begin, Iranian officials have called for an atmosphere of mutual respect and dialogue to ensure that nuclear technology continues to serve peaceful and humanitarian purposes. The government has also invited international experts to observe parts of the process, signaling a desire for greater transparency.

While political tensions remain high, Pezeshkian’s visit to the Atomic Energy Organization underlined a message of determination and stability. “Our strength lies in knowledge and the unity of our people,” he said. “With science and cooperation, we can overcome challenges and move forward toward a more secure and developed Iran.”

The coming months are expected to determine how Iran’s rebuilding plans unfold, as both domestic initiatives and international diplomacy play a role in shaping the next phase of its nuclear program. For now, Tehran’s leadership insists that the nation’s goals remain rooted in peaceful development, resilience, and the advancement of science for future generations.

President Pezeshkian highlighted the deep religious, cultural, and historical bonds shared by Muslim countries and stressed the need to build stronger solidarity across the Islamic world. He called for greater collaboration between Tehran and Riyadh in political, economic, and security sectors, saying such efforts could help address regional challenges without external interference.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully ready to expand its ties with Saudi Arabia in all arenas,” President Pezeshkian stated during the meeting. He welcomed the idea of forming joint working groups to explore opportunities for cooperation in key areas.

The Iranian president noted that unity among Islamic countries is essential for peace, security, and lasting economic development. “Disputes and poverty do not befit the Islamic Ummah,” he said, adding that leaders in the Muslim world have the potential to set an inspiring example of peaceful coexistence and progress.

President Pezeshkian also expressed his readiness to host Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Tehran, signaling a desire for continued high-level engagement between the two influential nations.

Prince Khalid bin Salman, for his part, conveyed greetings from the Saudi king and crown prince, and described his meetings with Iranian officials as positive and constructive, signaling a shared commitment to closer cooperation and regional peace.

The meeting marks another milestone in the warming of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, following the restoration of diplomatic ties last year under the China-brokered Beijing Agreement.