Trump cancels Iran peace talks by pulling envoys from Pakistan, deepening diplomatic crisis amid global hunger warnings
President Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by top negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for peace talks with Iran.The decision has escalated uncertainty surrounding the ongoing conflict, which is now entering its third month.
Peace talks cancelled
Trump announced his decision on Truth Social, just before the diplomats were set to depart.
He referenced “tremendous infighting and confusion” within Iran’s leadership and stated the U.S. had “all the cards.”
This cancellation followed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s arrival in Islamabad, where he had meetings scheduled with Pakistani officials.
Iran’s delegation departed Islamabad for Oman without engaging in talks with American representatives.
Trump remarked that while Iran’s revised proposal had improved, it did not meet U.S. expectations.
He expressed frustration over the travel commitments and the lack of productive dialogue.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut since U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran began.
Reopening the strait poses significant challenges beyond diplomatic efforts, with mine-clearing operations expected to take months.
A Pentagon briefing indicated that it could take up to six months to clear approximately 20 naval mines from the strait.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan suggested Turkey might join a multinational demining coalition, but only after a peace agreement is reached.
He also warned that Turkey would reconsider its participation if hostilities resumed.
Global food crisis
The UN has raised alarms about the broader implications of the closure, which threatens global food supplies.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of a UN task force on fertilizer supply, stated that a significant portion of the world’s fertilizers transits through the Strait.
Prolonged disruptions could potentially lead to an increase in hunger and starvation, affecting millions.
The Food and Agriculture Organization echoed these warnings, stating that a sustained blockage could result in a global food catastrophe.
Monitoring efforts could begin quickly, yet no peace deal appears to be on the horizon.
