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Trump Cancels Pakistan Mission, Says US Holds Iran Cards

4/25/2026

43 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump halted a planned diplomatic mission to Pakistan, saying the United States “has all the cards” in Iran talks.
Trump cancelled the travel of special envoy Steve Witkoff and former senior adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad on Saturday.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the naval blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz will stay in place “as long as it takes” as oil prices rise.

History

Historical Context

On 4 November 1979, Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding 52 Americans for 444 days; the Carter administration’s rescue attempt, Operation Eagle Claw, ended in a crash that killed eight servicemen. The crisis shattered U.S.–Iran ties and taught Washington that pure military pressure can backfire, prompting later administrations to blend sanctions with back-channel diplomacy.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump halted a planned diplomatic mission to Pakistan, saying the United States “has all the cards” in Iran talks.
Trump cancelled the travel of special envoy Steve Witkoff and former senior adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad on Saturday.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the naval blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz will stay in place “as long as it takes” as oil prices rise.

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