White House Keeps Silence on ‘Speculative’ US-Iran Talks in Islamabad

Uncertainty surrounds reports of a potential meeting between senior United States officials and Iranian representatives in Islamabad, with the White House declining to confirm any such development.

US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said nothing concrete could be stated regarding reports that US Vice President JD Vance, US Special Presidential Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff, and businessman and former Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner would meet Iranian officials in Islamabad.

Responding to a query by ANI, Leavitt said such reports should not be treated as final until officially confirmed.

According to a report by The Times of Israel, an unnamed Israeli official indicated that mediating countries are attempting to convene a meeting between the US and Iran in Islamabad, possibly later this week.

Amid the ongoing tensions, US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum expressed confidence in the engagement claimed by US President Donald Trump with Iran.

“President Trump is going to resolve it, and I'm very confident that as dealmaker-in-chief, he's going to come out of this with a winning deal for Americans,” he said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

When asked about the impact of the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz on oil supply chains, Burgum said Trump had anticipated the development.

“We've been completely aware of this thing,” he said, as per Al Jazeera.

What Does Asim Munir’s Call With Trump Signal for US-Iran Diplomacy?

Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir spoke with President Trump on Sunday, citing two individuals briefed on the call.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, stressing the need for collective efforts to de-escalate tensions in West Asia.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said Sharif conveyed his “serious concern” over the “dangerous ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region”.

The crisis in West Asia began on February 28 following attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, triggering a broader conflict.

“In view of this grave situation, the prime minister underscored the urgent need to work collectively for de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy amongst all the neighbouring countries to settle their differences,” the statement said.

Sharif also emphasised the “critical importance of unity in the ranks of the ummah, that is required more than ever before”.

The statement added that Sharif “assured the Iranian leadership that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role in facilitating peace in the region”.

“As a neighbouring brotherly country of Iran, the prime minister conveyed Pakistan's solidarity with the brave Iranian people in the wake of the ongoing hostilities,” it said.

Sharif also extended Eid-ul-Fitr and Nowruz greetings to the Iranian president and the people of Iran, the statement added.

(With inputs from ANI)