Vance not going to Pakistan for Iran-US talks: Trump to ABC News

WASHINGTON: Vice President JD Vance will not lead the US delegation for new talks with Iran in Pakistan, President Donald Trump told ABC News on Sunday, citing security concerns – despite top officials suggesting Vance would make the trip. Earlier in the day, both the US envoy to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright had indicated that Vance would lead the round of negotiations in Islamabad from Monday. READ MORE: Trump says US officials will be in Pakistan tomorrow for negotiations “It’s only because of security, ” Trump told ABC News of the reason Vance is not making the trip. “JD’s great. ” The statement comes after Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday that representatives are going to Islamabad, “tomorrow evening” for Iran negotiations. With shipping still stuck in the strait two days after Trump and Iran announced it would open, Trump said his envoys would arrive in Pakistan on Monday evening, prepared to hold more talks. “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, ” Trump wrote. Pakistan tightens security in Islamabad Security in Islamabad was stepped up visibly on Sunday ahead of peace talks between the United States and Iran in the coming days. President Trump said US negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday to resume talks on ending the war with Iran, little more than a week after face-to-face talks in Islamabad on April 11 ended without agreement. Authorities earlier announced road closures and traffic restrictions across the city, as well as in neighbouring Rawalpindi. AFP journalists saw armed guards and checkpoints near Islamabad’s most secure hotels, including the Marriott and the Serena, where the last round of talks between US and Iranian delegations took place. Most streets leading to the Serena Hotel were closed on Sunday, with barbed wire, barricades, heavy security and traffic diversions. “Citizens are earnestly requested to cooperate with the security agencies, ” a city official posted on X.

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