US President Donald Trump on Saturday cancelled a ‌trip by two US envoys to Pakistan, stating that he no longer plans to send a US delegation to Pakistan this weekend, blaming 'infighting' in Iran for derailing potential talks, thus dealing a new setback to peace prospects after Iran's foreign minister flew out of Islamabad following talks in the capital, reported CNN.

The White House had hoped to renew peace talks by sending envoys to Islamabad, but Tehran never confirmed plans to meet directly. Iran’s top diplomat left Pakistan following talks with mediators Saturday, saying afterward that Tehran has yet to see if Washington is “truly serious about diplomacy.”

Trump said in a social media post that he had called off the planned visit by his special ​envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, citing what he said was tremendous confusion within the Iranian leadership.

"Too much ​time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within ⁠their "leadership." Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want ​to talk, all they have to do is call!!!" he wrote. Trump, however, clarified that the cancellation does not mean fighting will resume.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arachis earlier left the Pakistani capital without any sign of a ​breakthrough in talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials, reported Reuters.

Araqchi later described his visit to Pakistan as "very fruitful," adding in a social media post that he had "shared Iran's position concerning (a) workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the US ​is truly serious about diplomacy".

Iranian media reported that Araqchi had flown to Oman's capital Muscat, saying he will meet with ​senior officials to "discuss and exchange views on bilateral relations and regional developments".

Tehran has ruled out a new round of direct talks with the ‌United ⁠States and an Iranian diplomatic source said Tehran would not accept Washington's "maximalist demands".

Meanwhile, several officials with knowledge of the diplomatic efforts to end their war, have blamed Trump's threats and brash social media posts for hindering the prospect of Iran agreeing to more in-person peace talks with the US, reported Bloomberg. 

Trump's Truth Social posts — as well as his decision to continue with a naval blockade of Iranian ports — have been detrimental to ongoing negotiations through mediators such as Pakistan, according to two US officials familiar with the matter. 

The negotiations were meant to follow historic face-to-face talks earlier this month between the US Vice President JD Vance, and Iran delegation led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. But Iranian officials have questioned how they can trust the US after its forces started blockading Iranian ports in response to Iran's war grip on the Strait of Hormuz, reported the Associated Press.

In announcing his decision on Saturday, Trump said on social media: “If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!” The White House had yesterday said that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would be travelling all the way to Islamabad for talks.

Iran, US at an impasse

Washington and Tehran are at an impasse as Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, while the US blocks Iran's oil exports.

The conflict, in which a ceasefire is in force, began with US-Israeli airstrikes ​on Iran on February 28. Iran ​has since carried out ⁠strikes against Israel, US bases and Gulf states, and the war has pushed up energy prices to multi-year highs, stoking inflation and darkening global growth prospects.

Araqchi "explained our country's principled positions regarding the ​latest developments related to the ceasefire and the complete end of the imposed war against ​Iran", said a ⁠statement on the minister's official Telegram account.

Asked about Tehran's reservations over US positions in the talks, an Iranian diplomatic source in Islamabad told Reuters: "Principally, Iranian side will not accept maximalist demands."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had said the US had seen some progress from the Iranian ⁠side in ​recent days and hoped more would come over the weekend, while Vice President JD ​Vance was ready to travel to Pakistan as well.

Vance had led a first round of unsuccessful talks with Iran in Islamabad earlier this month.