The White House is transitioning swiftly from military pressures to diplomatic efforts, as US President Donald Trump has deployed a top-tier delegation led by Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan for the initial phase of talks between the US and Iran set for this Saturday.
According to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, President Trump has tasked his team in charge of Iran negotiations, headed by Vice President JD Vance, to engage in discussions in Pakistan, with the first round scheduled for Saturday.
Leavitt mentioned that Vance will be accompanied by key Trump advisors Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff during the talks in Islamabad. She informed the media that the initial round of discussions is slated for Saturday morning local time and expressed anticipation for these face-to-face interactions.
This announcement signifies a shift towards diplomacy from confrontation, despite the White House maintaining a firm public stance. Leavitt stated that Iran’s capacity to supply arms to proxy factions in the region has been notably reduced following military actions by the US and Israel that commenced on February 28.
“Iran is no longer able to furnish weapons to its proxy entities,” she stated, portraying the military operations as having altered the dynamics in advance of negotiations.
The White House has emphasized that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains a primary objective for Washington, with a firm stance against any hindrances or fees on global maritime transport.
Leavitt highlighted that President Trump is focused on ensuring unrestricted access for oil tankers and commercial vessels through the waterway. She stressed, “The president’s immediate priority is the complete reopening of the strait without any impediments, whether in the form of tolls or otherwise.”
Additionally, Leavitt mentioned that there has been an increase in vessel traffic through the strait, although uncertainties persist regarding security and passage.
She refrained from specifying the current authority over the strategic water passage, which manages approximately 20% of the world’s seaborne oil and LNG movements, establishing it as a critical chokepoint in global energy distribution.
Leavitt also disclosed that prior proposals from Tehran had been unequivocally dismissed. She remarked, “The Iranians initially presented a 10-point plan that was fundamentally unserious, unacceptable, and completely disregarded,” indicating that President Trump had outright rejected it.
However, she noted that a revised Iranian proposal put forward on Tuesday has paved the way for discussions. The revised framework could potentially align with the US’s own 15-point proposal and form the basis for negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.
The talks in Pakistan come after a series of diplomatic engagements. Trump conversed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, while US officials have engaged with senior Chinese counterparts.
Leavitt mentioned that Iran has signaled a willingness to surrender enriched uranium, a crucial issue in past negotiations.