Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Wants To Hear The Iranians Out.

Washington DC; April 2026: The White House says the Iranians had approached the United States, that they have something substantive to discuss, and so the Americans want to hear exactly what may well be on the table. The fact that JD Vance isn’t going suggested that these are just exploratory talks, and if there is something significant and substantive there, then he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will head towards Islamabad and try and tie up a final deal., the Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated a hour ago today (25th April 2026 IST).

Leavitt has further said, “But, of course, there are many areas of dispute between the two countries. Those things have to be discussed and have to be sorted out before there can be any sort of deal. But of course, if there’s going to be a deal, and Donald Trump says he’s wanting the right deal, the correct deal, a proper deal, rather than one that’s rushed into, then they have to start talking somewhere, and it seems like Islamabad this weekend is the place to start”.

In a sharp contrast the Iranian regime has vehemently opposed the narratives of the Press Secretary asserting that there is no planned meeting with the US officials in Islamabad, at least for the moment.

They have also ruled out any expectations of direct talks with the US representatives in Islamabad. The blockade imposed by the United States over the Strait of Hormuz more than a week ago is impeding progress in any kind of talks and any kind of next round of talks in Islamabad. At the same time, it has been observed that there are diplomatic efforts, especially from Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is right now on a tour starting from Islamabad to Moscow, and then to Muscat. According to the Iranian FM – he’s right now focused on coordination between all those nations where he is visiting in terms of regional security.

Taking into considerations the Iranian position in regards to the next round of negotiations, there are many sticking points, especially the blockade by the US, and the guarantees that the Iranians need about agreements and past conditions and commitments from the United States. As reported earlier, there is a lack of trust between the Iranians and the US officials. However, the silver lining is that diplomacy is not closed between the United States and the Iranians, and we are seeing that mediation efforts from Pakistan, especially in Islamabad.

But the United States is still propagating the rhetoric that the US Vice President is poised,  for a deal can be struck in Islamabad. There are a few suggestions in Washington, DC, that JD Vance has been deputed essentially to negotiate these conversations that is expected to take place in Islamabad.

The vice president needs someone almost of a similar stature to be involved in those discussions to make it worth his while to go there. Clearly, there are things to be discussed there. There are some red lines on both sides. For the United States, theirs standpoint is very clear; Donald Trump has said it on several occasions: No nuclear weapon for Iran, not now, not ever.

They also want to talk about Iran’s support for proxies in the Middle East. And there are other questions as well. What happens to the enriched uranium, or what happens to the Strait of Hormuz? Who controls that so we don’t see a situation where it gets blocked at some point in the future?

At the same time, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in his X handle has posted

As per the latest update from the White House President Donald Trump is sending two of his most trusted lieutenants – Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for negotiating with Iran.

Team Maverick.