‘If deal is signed in Islamabad I may go’: Trump says Iran has agreed to 'almost everything' in war talks
April 16, 2026
Trump struck an optimistic tone on talks with Iran and suggested that a US-Iran ceasefire set to expire next week could be extended, though he said it may not be necessary
Former President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States and Iran are on the brink of a significant agreement to end recent hostilities, stating that Tehran has conceded to nearly all of Washington's demands. Speaking to reporters, Trump expressed his optimism for a permanent ceasefire and floated the possibility of traveling to Islamabad, Pakistan, for a formal signing ceremony if the deal is finalized. These remarks come as a fragile two-week truce, mediated by Pakistan, approaches its April 21 expiration. The ceasefire followed a period of intense conflict that included U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets and a subsequent American naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The potential breakthrough follows a recent, yet unsuccessful, first round of direct negotiations in Islamabad. That U.S. delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance, while Iran's team included parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Despite the initial talks ending without an accord, Trump asserted that a second round could occur as soon as this weekend. He claimed his administration's strategy, which he described as a combination of "about four weeks of bombing and a very powerful blockade," has been effective in bringing Iran to the negotiating table. The blockade has severely restricted maritime trade through the vital Strait of Hormuz, impacting global energy markets.
A central and contentious element of the discussions is Iran's nuclear program. Trump claimed that Tehran has agreed to relinquish its stockpile of highly-enriched uranium, which he referred to as "nuclear dust." However, this assertion has not been publicly verified by Iranian officials, who have previously maintained that their right to enrich uranium is "indisputable," even if the level of enrichment could be negotiable. In fact, some Iranian state media outlets have openly mocked the former president's optimistic claims. Reports suggest the U.S. is pushing for a 20-year ban on Iran's uranium enrichment activities as part of a "grand bargain."
Pakistan has emerged as a crucial intermediary in the conflict, hosting the initial talks and continuing to facilitate dialogue between the two sides. Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir recently met with officials in Tehran to keep diplomatic channels open, and the White House has acknowledged that any further talks would likely happen in the Pakistani capital. Other regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, have also been engaged in diplomatic efforts, underscoring the broad international concern over the recent escalation and the desire for a peaceful resolution.
The coming days are critical, with the temporary ceasefire set to expire and pressure mounting for a diplomatic solution. While Trump projects confidence that a deal is imminent and could avert further conflict, the lack of confirmation from Tehran on key concessions introduces significant uncertainty. The next steps will likely depend on whether a second round of negotiations materializes and if both nations can bridge the considerable gaps that remain, particularly on the future of Iran's nuclear capabilities and the terms for lifting the U.S. blockade.
Source: firstpost