US Vice President J.D. Vance and the American delegation participating in peace talks with Iran are en route to Pakistan, President Donald Trump told the New York Post on Monday, adding that he is willing to meet with senior Iranian officials if progress is made. “The talks are supposed to take place,” Trump said in a brief interview, dismissing doubts about a potential collapse of the negotiations. “I would assume that at this stage, nobody is playing games.” When asked whether the US knows who is leading the Iranian side, Trump replied: “We have a pretty good picture and we believe we are talking to the right people.”
The American president confirmed that a high-level US delegation – including Vice President J.D. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and advisor Jared Kushner – is already en route to Islamabad for the next round of talks. “They are already heading there,” Trump said shortly after 9 a.m. (Eastern time). “They will be there tonight,” he added. The timeline underscores the urgent nature of the talks, taking place just days before the ceasefire between the US and Iran expires, during a period of increasing regional tensions.
Trump left open the possibility of a significant diplomatic move, stating he does not rule out a direct meeting with Iranian leadership if the opportunity arises. He even left open the possibility of signing an agreement with Tehran. “I have no problem meeting with them,” he said. “If they want to meet, we have very capable people – but I have no problem meeting with them.”
US-Iran talks: Nuclear issue remains the sticking point
According to him, at the center of the negotiations is one basic and non-negotiable demand: Iran must abandon any attempt to acquire nuclear weapons.
“Get rid of their nuclear weapons. It’s very simple,” he stated. “There will be no nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that Iran could prosper if it complies. “Otherwise, it’s a wonderful country – it really could be,” he noted.
However, the president did not clarify what consequences Tehran might face if it refuses to comply or if the talks collapse, especially as the ceasefire deadline approaches.
“I don’t want to elaborate on that,” he replied when asked whether the US would escalate measures, such as seizing additional Iran-linked vessels. “You can imagine. It wouldn’t be nice.”
Tehran’s stance
A senior Iranian official said Tehran is positively considering participation in peace talks with the United States, though no final decision has been made yet.
According to the same source, positive mediation efforts by Pakistan are underway to end the American blockade and ensure Iran’s participation in the negotiations.
A Pakistani source involved in the talks reminded that the two-month ceasefire expires on April 22 at 8 p.m. (Eastern time).
Iran resumed operations at the capital’s main airports, Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad, on Monday, as announced by the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, following their closure due to the war of recent weeks with the United States and Israel.
“Permission was granted for passenger flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad Airport,” stated a Civil Aviation Authority announcement, according to ISNA news agency.
The same announcement added that passenger flights from ten airports across Iran will also be possible from Saturday.
