Trump says Iran will present an offer as US readies envoy trip to Pakistan
US President Donald Trump told Reuters that Iran intends to present an offer to meet US demands, and a US delegation is expected to travel to Pakistan for talks this weekend.
President Trump told Reuters that Iran plans to put forward an offer aimed at meeting American demands, saying, “They will present an offer and we’ll see what happens.” The reference to an Iran offer frames a potential diplomatic opening after months of tense exchanges between Washington and Tehran. US media reported plans for a delegation to travel to Pakistan to engage with Iranian officials, underscoring renewed behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
Trump confirms an Iran offer is forthcoming
President Trump told Reuters on Friday that Tehran intends to make an Iran offer designed to address US conditions, without providing details on the proposals. He described the move as a development that “we’ll see what happens,” signalling cautious receptivity from the White House.
The remark was delivered in a telephone interview and came amid multiple media reports that the administration is preparing a small delegation to pursue talks. White House officials have not publicly outlined the contents of the anticipated Iranian submission.
US delegation planned to travel to Pakistan this weekend
US media outlets cited administration officials saying a team including special envoy Steve Witkoff and former advisor Jared Kushner is expected to travel to Pakistan over the weekend. The trip is reported as intended to enable direct conversations with Iranian officials on the proposed Iran offer.
Officials told reporters that Vice President J.D. Vance is not expected to participate at this stage, in part because Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, is not present and is viewed by the White House as the Iranian counterpart to the vice president. Islamabad has previously hosted US-Iran talks that did not yield an accord, highlighting the uncertain prospects for progress.
Iranian delegation’s regional tour raises questions
Iranian state media reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has begun a regional tour that includes Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow. Those Iranian reports did not explicitly acknowledge planned direct meetings with US envoys, framing the travel as routine diplomatic engagement.
The contrast between US media accounts and Iranian official statements leaves open whether any US-Iran contact will be formalised in Pakistan or occur through intermediaries. Observers note that parallel messaging may be designed to allow both sides diplomatic flexibility while testing the outlines of a possible deal.
Pentagon voices cautious optimism on deal prospects
On Friday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tehran had an opportunity to reach “a good deal” with Washington, but that such an agreement would require Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions under verifiable mechanisms. His remarks echoed the administration’s long-standing insistence on strict monitoring and restraints.
Hegseth framed the choice for Tehran as one between continued escalation and a negotiated resolution that addresses US security concerns. The administration appears to be seeking a balance between signalling openness to diplomacy and maintaining pressure on Tehran.
Background: previous Islamabad talks and diplomatic context
Islamabad previously hosted rounds of US-Iran talks aimed at easing tensions, but those discussions did not produce a breakthrough. Regional intermediaries have periodically facilitated contacts between Washington and Tehran amid strained official relations.
Analysts say the reported trip to Pakistan reflects a pragmatic approach: using third-party venues and envoys can reduce political exposure while allowing negotiators to explore compromises. However, past efforts show that achieving trust and concrete verification measures remains difficult.
Possible outcomes and regional implications
If Iran follows through with an Iran offer and the US delegation engages, options could include limited confidence-building steps, an exchange of proposals on nuclear verification, or a roadmap for phased concessions. Each pathway carries risks and would demand detailed verification protocols to satisfy US demands.
A credible breakthrough would relieve some regional tensions and could prompt diplomatic reactions across the Gulf and beyond. Conversely, a failed engagement could embolden hardliners in Tehran and harden US domestic political rhetoric, narrowing future diplomatic space.
The coming days will be closely watched in capitals across the region as officials assess whether the reported Iran offer and the planned Pakistan talks mark the start of substantive diplomacy or another episode of tentative outreach that falls short.