US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about the ongoing US-Iran peace process, saying Tehran has accepted “almost everything” under negotiation and hinting he may personally travel to Islamabad if a final deal is signed there.
Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn on Thursday before departing for Nevada and Arizona, Trump praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts and credited Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for doing “a great job.”
“If a deal is signed in Islamabad, I may go,” he said. “They want me.”
JUST IN: President Trump said he could travel to Islamabad to seal a deal, praising Pakistan’s leadership and signaling he “might go” if an agreement is signed there:
“The field marshal has been great. The Prime Minister has been really great in Pakistan so I might go.”@pdoocy pic.twitter.com/W2CwvjutfC
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 16, 2026
Trump also indicated that the current two-week ceasefire — which began last week — could be extended if needed, though he suggested a comprehensive agreement might make that unnecessary. He reiterated Washington’s demand for the complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.
The remarks come days after marathon talks in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough, despite more than 21 hours of direct negotiations. However, both Pakistani and Iranian officials have signalled that a second round could take place soon, possibly later this week or early next week.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed that Pakistan is maintaining “open channels of communication” with both sides and expects further talks in Islamabad, though no firm date has been announced.
Security preparations in the capital have been significantly ramped up. Around 6,000 Islamabad Police personnel, supported by Frontier Constabulary, Rangers, and the Army, will be deployed, particularly in and around the Red Zone. Similar measures are in place in Rawalpindi, with strict monitoring of entry and exit points.
In a separate development, Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, which he said would begin at 5pm Eastern Time on Thursday. The announcement follows talks in Washington involving Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Despite these positive signals, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that American forces remain “maximally postured” and ready to resume operations if Iran does not agree to a deal.
Pakistan has played a central role in the diplomatic process, hosting the first round of direct US-Iran talks and continuing back-channel efforts. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir have been personally engaged in facilitating communication between the two sides.
International observers have noted that Islamabad’s mediation has helped keep dialogue alive at a critical juncture, with the current ceasefire due to expire on April 21.
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