The White House confirmed Friday that special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son‑in‑law, will travel to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations aimed at ending the war with Iran. Pakistani officials will mediate the talks.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the pair will depart “again tomorrow morning” to engage in direct discussions facilitated by Pakistan, which has helped arrange the meetings. Leavitt told reporters the administration has observed “some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days” and that the president sent Witkoff and Kushner “to hear the Iranians out.”
Vice President J.D. Vance will not attend the talks in Pakistan but will remain on standby, Leavitt added. The president, the vice president and the secretary of state will monitor developments from Washington, and officials said Vance could be dispatched if deemed necessary. A U.S. logistics and security team is reported to already be in Islamabad to support the negotiations.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Islamabad Friday as part of a regional tour that also includes Muscat and Moscow. Pakistani sources and Iranian state media said Araghchi’s visit is intended for bilateral consultations and to coordinate Iranian proposals with Pakistan and other partners ahead of the Islamabad‑mediated exchange. Reuters reported that Iran plans to present terms for a peace deal; President Trump told the news agency that Iran “is making an offer” that could satisfy U.S. demands.
Leavitt stressed U.S. conditions for any agreement, saying it must include Iran turning over nuclear material and committing not to build a nuclear weapon. The discussions take place against the backdrop of an extended ceasefire and ongoing U.S. pressure, including a naval blockade of Iranian ports, as the administration seeks a negotiated end to hostilities.