Trump Eyes Second Round of Iran Nuclear Talks in Pakistan Within Days

President Trump announced Tuesday that a second round of direct negotiations with Iran could happen in Pakistan within the next two days, though the timeline and location remain fluid. The potential talks would follow an unsuccessful marathon negotiating session over the weekend led by Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, who failed to secure a peace deal. Trump ruled out his personal involvement in any future talks but did not specify who would represent the U.S. side.

The core sticking point centers on nuclear restrictions. The U.S. proposed a 20-year "suspension" of all Iranian nuclear activity rather than a permanent ban on enrichment—a compromise designed to let Iran claim it hasn't permanently surrendered its Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty rights. Trump publicly objected to this proposal, insisting "I've been saying they can't have nuclear weapons, so I don't like the 20 years." Iran countered with its own proposal for a five-year suspension, the same position it offered during failed Geneva talks in February that preceded Trump's decision to attack Iran.

The shifting geography of negotiations reveals uncertainty: Trump initially told The New York Post talks would happen in Europe, then called back 30 minutes later urging the reporter to stay in Islamabad because "something could be happening over the next two days." Vice President Vance said the U.S. team had been in constant contact with Trump during the weekend talks, communicating between six and twelve times over 21 hours. With Iran and the U.S. still separated by fundamental disagreements on nuclear timelines and permanence, the diplomatic path forward remains fragile.