Close
newsletters Newsletters
X Instagram Youtube

Trump says US delegation heading to Islamabad on April 20 for Iran talks

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office after signing an Executive Order in Washington, DC on April 18, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Photo
BigPhoto
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office after signing an Executive Order in Washington, DC on April 18, 2026. (AFP Photo)
April 19, 2026 03:32 PM GMT+03:00

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that U.S. representatives will arrive in Islamabad on Monday evening for negotiations with Iran.

“My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan—They will be there tomorrow evening for Negotiations,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.

Separately, Trump told the New York Post that talks aimed at ending the Iran conflict would resume this week, with his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveling to Pakistan.

“Steve’s going to be going there tomorrow night,” Trump said in a phone call from the White House, confirming Witkoff will arrive in Islamabad ahead of a second round of talks.

Trump added that Jared Kushner will also be involved in the negotiations scheduled for Tuesday, while Vice President JD Vance, who led a previous round, will not attend.

He also left open the possibility of traveling to Islamabad himself if progress is made, noting reports that Qatari officials had been seen in the Pakistani capital ahead of the talks.

Police personnel stand guard at a closed road leading to the Serena Hotel in the Red Zone area of Islamabad on April 19, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Police personnel stand guard at a closed road leading to the Serena Hotel in the Red Zone area of Islamabad on April 19, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Trump alleges ceasefire violation, issues stark warning

“Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz --A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!” Trump said, alleging Iranian forces targeted vessels in the strategic waterway, including a French ship and a U.K.-flagged freighter.

Trump also said Iran had threatened to close the strait, arguing such a move would be self-damaging.

“They’re helping us without knowing, and they are the ones that lose with the closed passage, 500 million a day,” he said.

He added that global shipping routes were continuing to supply the United States, with vessels heading toward ports in Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska.

“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” Trump said.

He also criticized previous administrations’ handling of Iran and reiterated his hardline stance, saying he hopes Tehran accepts the proposal to avoid further escalation.

Second round of talks expected after inconclusive first meeting

The second round of talks is expected to involve technical-level teams from both sides, according to earlier reports.

Pakistan hosted the highest-level engagement between the United States and Iran on April 11-12 — the first since diplomatic ties were severed in 1979 — but the talks ended without agreement.

The negotiations followed mediation efforts by Pakistan after the war began on Feb. 28, leading to a 14-day ceasefire that took effect on April 8.

Pakistani government sources said technical teams are expected to meet in Islamabad “most probably on Monday” to work toward finalizing an agreement between the two sides.

April 19, 2026 04:38 PM GMT+03:00
More From Türkiye Today