As peace talks are expected to resume in Pakistan, US President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday that Iran was planning to make an offer aimed to satisfy US demands. However, the conditions of the deal remain unclear.
In a telephonic conversation to the outlet, Trump said, “They’re making an offer, and we’ll have to see.”
He insisted that while he was unaware of what the offer could be, he would only accept a deal that included Iran surrendering its enriched uranium stash and removing its blockade on the critical maritime channel, the Strait of Hormuz. The passage had transported 20% of the world’s oil before the conflict escalated between Iran and the United States.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Saturday for further negotiations. Vice President JD Vance was confirmed to remain engaged from Washington, working closely with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the national security team
Trump had previously expressed concern on Thursday over an internal division in the leadership in Iran, believing it to be fractured. However, Iranian representatives have refuted the notion.
Trump declined to name who the US delegation was negotiating with, saying, “I don’t want to say that, but we’re dealing with the people that are in charge now.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and other senior delegates arrived in Islamabad on Friday to discuss proposals for reopening negotiations with the US. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar received the team along with Field Marshal Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Trump maintained that the US blockade against Iran’s ports would remain until an agreement favourable to the US was reached. However, he did not detail the conditions for the preferred agreement.
“I’d have to answer that question later. I have to see what they’re offering,” he said.
