US Vice President JD Vance's planned visit to Pakistan has been put on hold, with uncertainty growing over upcoming talks involving Iran and the United States. The development comes just hours before a two-week ceasefire with Iran is set to expire.
Visit deferred amid stalled diplomacy
According to The New York Times, the visit has been deferred due to Tehran's failure to respond to Washington's negotiating position ahead of fresh talks. A US official told the publication that while the talks are not cancelled, the "diplomatic process is in effect paused" because of the lack of response from Iran.
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Ceasefire extended, but uncertainty remains
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran, offering more time for diplomacy. Soon after, reports indicated that the White House had confirmed Vance and other members of the US delegation would not be travelling to Islamabad for now.
The visit had earlier been confirmed by Trump, who said Vance would be accompanied by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. However, Iran had not committed to participating in the proposed round of discussions.
Talks in limbo
With the ceasefire nearing its deadline, the proposed talks in Islamabad between American and Iranian officials were seen as crucial. But Iran's noncommittal stance has cast doubt over whether the negotiations will proceed as planned.
News agency AFP earlier reported that Vance remains in Washington, citing a White House official who said additional policy meetings are underway.
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Possibility of revival
While the visit is currently on hold, the situation remains fluid. The New York Times report noted that the trip could resume "at a moment's notice" if Iran responds with a proposal that meets US expectations. For now, the pause reflects the fragile state of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
