Trump’s Mixed Signals Cloud Iran–US Islamabad Talks

ISLAMABAD: US President Trump seems to be undermining the efforts of his own diplomatic team to bring a negotiated end to the Iran war, when he uses the threat of use of force against Iran simultaneously with the hopes that Islamabad talks would succeed.

Repeatedly in the last few days President Trump has conveyed the threat that he would not extend the ceasefire beyond April 22nd, 2026 in the same interview in which he told the media that his team is enroute in Islamabad to participate in the second round of Islamabad talks.

Sometimes it seems that he is trying to put pressure on Iranian government so that Iranian negotiators should show some flexibility in their attitude on the negotiating table. While on other occasions it seems that he simply trying to sabotage the second round of Islamabad talks.

It is looking uncertain whether a breakthrough can be reached between the United States and Iran. US President Donald Trump said in a phone interview this afternoon that it is “highly unlikely” he would extend the two-week ceasefire with Iran if a deal is not reached before it is scheduled to end April 22.
Trump said that a US delegation, including Vice President JD Vance will leave for Pakistan, ready to resume talks tomorrow.

Iran has given mixed messages on the possibility of attending any negotiations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters today that Tehran has no plans to attend, though a final decision has not been made. Later reports suggested an Iranian delegation is making plans to travel to Islamabad.

Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until an agreement is reached. The US has maintained its blockade on the strait and the Navy seized an Iranian-flagged ship. But the president insisted “I’m not opening it up.”

The S&P 500 Index touched session lows on Trump’s comments, before paring losses. Oil prices extended gains with both benchmarks trading up more than 5%. Investors are keeping a close watch on how or when energy flows through the strait will meaningfully resume.