US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he could travel to Islamabad to seal a deal if an agreement with Iran is finalised in Pakistan, praising the country’s military and political leadership amid renewed diplomatic activity involving Washington and Tehran.
Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, Trump said Pakistan’s “field marshal has been great” and the prime minister “has been really great,” adding that he “might go” to Islamabad if a deal is signed there. He has previously described Pakistan’s leadership as “very strong and very smart,” signalling confidence in Islamabad’s role in facilitating the process.
He said that the next round of talks with Iran to achieve a peace agreement would probably be held over the weekend.
The remarks come as Pakistan positions itself as a potential host for further U.S.-Iran contacts after an initial round of talks in Islamabad last weekend ended without an agreement, leaving a fragile ceasefire in place and negotiations ongoing.
Officials in Washington, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, have already indicated that additional rounds of dialogue could take place in Pakistan, though no formal schedule has been announced. Iran has not publicly confirmed Islamabad as a venue, but regional actors, including Turkey, have expressed support for continued negotiations under neutral mediation.
Pakistan’s foreign office has not issued a detailed statement, but officials have previously said the country supports dialogue and de-escalation efforts in the region. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Pakistan “remains engaged with all sides to reduce tensions and encourage diplomatic solutions.”
Earlier, Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.
He made the announcement in a Truth Social post, saying that he had “excellent conversations” with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST,” Trump announced.
Referring to the talks held between the two sides in Washington, he said the two “countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio”.