Iranians can call us but they must agree to no nukes, else no point in meeting: Trump

Islamabad/Washington: President Trump said on Sunday that Iran could call if it wanted to negotiate an end to the war launched by the US and Israel, as Iran's foreign minister returned to Pakistan for talks despite the absence of US counterparts. Hopes of reviving peace efforts had earlier receded after Trump scrapped a visit to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, even as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi continued to shuttle between mediating countries.

"If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. There is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines," Trump said in an interview on Fox News' 'The Sunday Briefing'. He added, "They know what has to be in the agreement. It's very simple: they cannot have a nuclear weapon, otherwise there's no reason to meet."



Speaking in Florida, Trump said he cancelled his envoys' visit due to too much travel and expense for what he considered an inadequate Iranian offer. Iran "offered a lot, but not enough," Trump said. After the latest diplomatic trip was called off, two US Air Force C-17s carrying security staff, equipment and vehicles used to protect US officials flew out of Pakistan, two Pakistani govt sources said on Sunday.

After holding talks in Pakistan, Araghchi flew to Oman - another mediator in the war - where he met the country's leader, Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, on Sunday. They discussed security in the strait and Araghchi called for a regional security framework free of outside interference, according to Iran's foreign ministry.

Araghchi meets Munir

Aragchi later returned to Islamabad on Sunday and met Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, local media reported. After holding talks with Munir, Araghchi left for Moscow. There was no official word from Pakistan about the meeting which apparently focused on the ongoing peace efforts by Islamabad.

Iran's ISNA news agency quoted Tehran's ambassador Kazem Jalali as saying: "Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin."

Earlier on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Araghchi's talks with Pakistani officials were expected to include "implementing a new legal regime over the Strait of Hormuz, receiving compensation, guaranteeing no renewed military aggression by warmongers, and lifting the naval blockade."

Iran's leadership in disarray

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif on phone that Tehran would not enter "imposed negotiations" under threats, according to the Iranian govt. Pezeshkian said the US should first remove obstacles, including its maritime blockade, before negotiators could begin laying the groundwork for a settlement.