WASHINGTON — President Trump told The Post Wednesday morning it is “too soon” to start thinking about face-to-face peace talks between the US and Iran, despite optimistic reports the two nations were closing in on a potential framework to end their 67-day war.
Asked whether The Post should prepare to send a reporter back to Pakistan for a new round of negotiations after Islamabad sources revealed a tentative peace deal was close, the president responded: “I don’t think so.”
President Trump on Wednesday told The Post that it’s “too soon” to start preparing for a trip to Islamabad, despite reports of the US and Iran closing in on ending the war. REUTERS
“I think we’ll do it— it’s too far,” he added. “No, it’s too much.”
Moments earlier, Trump had posted on Truth Social that “[a]ssuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the already legendary Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran. If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”
Trump has previously said he would be open to travel to Pakistan to sign a formal agreement out of respect for the efforts of Pakistan defense chief Asim Munir to bring Washington and Tehran together.
The president abruptly ended his call with The Post Wednesday morning, saying he had an appointment with “the generals.”
Trump’s reality check comes after Axios reported that White House officials believe they are close to an agreement with Iran on a one-page proposal of principles that could become a final peace deal.
The outlet reported the document involved “Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the US agreeing to lift its sanctions and release billions in frozen Iranian funds, and both sides lifting restrictions” on navigation through Strait of Hormuz.
However, The Post understands multiple versions of the proposal are under discussion, and final points to be included had not yet been decided.
“Which one is going to be approved, no one knows,” said a Pakistani source familiar with mediation efforts.
Trump has previously told The Post he did not want to offer Iran a moratorium on uranium enrichment, but rather demand that they never have the opportunity to do so again.
The incremental progress comes after Trump on Tuesday evening announced an abrupt pause on “Project Freedom,” which saw the US military force open the Strait of Hormuz by escorting commercial ships.
The president made the decision at the behest of Pakistan and “other countries” — including Saudi Arabia — who reportedly told Trump the gesture could help facilitate an end to the war.