US Holds Marathon Trilateral Talks with Pakistan and Iran as Trump Claims Strategic Edge

Washington, April 2026 : The United States is engaged in prolonged high-level trilateral negotiations with Pakistan and Iran in Islamabad, even as President Donald Trump asserted that Washington has already secured a strategic advantage regardless of the talks’ outcome.

According to a senior White House official, the face-to-face discussions in Islamabad have stretched beyond 15 hours, reflecting the complexity and urgency of the issues under consideration. The talks are being led by US Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner and a broader team of national security and regional experts.

The extended US delegation also includes senior officials such as Dr. Andrew Baker, Deputy National Security Advisor to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President, and Michael Vance, Special Advisor for Asian Affairs. Additional subject-matter experts are supporting the negotiations remotely from Washington, underlining the strategic importance of the dialogue.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump struck a confident and assertive tone, suggesting that the United States has already achieved key objectives. “Regardless of what happens, we win. We have totally defeated that country. Maybe they make a deal, maybe they don’t, but from America’s standpoint, we win,” he said, without elaborating further on the specifics.

Trump linked the ongoing negotiations to broader economic and energy developments, highlighting increased maritime activity. He pointed to oil and gas shipments as a sign of strengthening US energy positioning. “Large tankers are heading toward our country, being loaded with oil and gas and more. It’s a beautiful thing to see,” he remarked.

The President also framed the talks as part of a wider strategic approach combining diplomacy with military leverage. Referring to the situation with Iran, he said, “We are in very deep negotiations. We win regardless. We have already defeated them militarily.”

In a series of strong claims, Trump asserted that Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly weakened. He stated that its naval and air forces, along with key defense systems such as anti-aircraft and radar networks, had been neutralised. He further claimed that the country’s leadership structure had suffered major losses.

Additionally, Trump mentioned ongoing US efforts to secure critical maritime routes, particularly in sensitive regions like the Strait of Hormuz. “We have mine sweepers operating there, clearing potential threats,” he said, indicating a continued military presence to safeguard global shipping lanes.

Despite his strong rhetoric, the President acknowledged that the outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain. He suggested that reaching a formal agreement is not essential from Washington’s perspective. “Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me,” Trump stated.

The high-stakes talks in Islamabad come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, with global attention focused on the evolving dynamics between the United States, Iran, and regional stakeholders. While the discussions continue, the final outcome could have significant implications for regional stability, energy security, and international relations.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)