Trump sends envoys to Pakistan for talks with Iran's foreign minister

LEXINGTON, Ky. — President Donald Trump is dispatching envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan to meet with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday, the White House announced Friday, as diplomatic efforts intensify to revive ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran.

The talks come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where a conflict has disrupted global energy markets, blocked crucial oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and claimed thousands of lives. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said officials are "hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal."

Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late Friday after previous indirect talks with the Trump envoys in Geneva on Feb. 27 ended without agreement. Pakistan has been pushing to reinject momentum into U.S.-Iran negotiations, which did not resume this week as initially expected. Leavitt noted that Trump decided to send the envoys "to hear the Iranians out," citing "some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days," though she provided no specific details.

Vice President JD Vance will remain on standby along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the president's national security team, ready to travel to Pakistan if needed, Leavitt said.

Separately, Trump extended a waiver of the Jones Act for 90 days, allowing non-American vessels to transport oil and natural gas in response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The initial 60-day waiver, announced in March, accelerated energy shipments to U.S. ports. Brent crude oil retreated following the extension announcement, trading between $103 and $107 per barrel—roughly 50% higher than prices before the conflict began.

The situation remains tense throughout the region. Since the war began, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran, more than 2,490 in Lebanon, and dozens in Israel and Gulf Arab states. The U.S. maintains three aircraft carriers in the region with 200 aircraft and 15,000 sailors and Marines, according to U.S. Central Command. A fourth carrier is expected to join the blockade within days, the first time since 2003 that four American carriers have operated simultaneously in the region.