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Vice President J.D. Vance reportedly arrived at the White House on Tuesday for high-level discussions, fueling speculation that peace talks in Islamabad have likely been put on hold.
The vice president was spotted at the White House by Kaitlan Collins, who noted, “Vice President JD Vance has just arrived at the White House. It’s unclear whether he’s still leaving for Pakistan today.”
With the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran set to expire between Tuesday and Wednesday, it was expected that Vice President Vance, along with the U.S. delegation, would travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, this week to engage in a second round of peace talks.
According to the New York Times, VP Vance had been scheduled to depart for Pakistan on Tuesday morning, but there has allegedly been no Iranian response to the Americans’ negotiating terms, which is why the trip was put on hold.
Another report from the Wall Street Journal suggested that Iran had told mediators it would not send a delegation to Islamabad until the United States military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was lifted.
Reporter Barak Ravid posted on X that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – two key leaders in the U.S. delegation alongside VP Vance – were reportedly still in the United States.
“The Department of Homeland Security plane that was supposed to take them this morning from Miami to Europe and from there to Pakistan took off a few minutes ago—but in the direction of Washington. Maybe they’re on their way to a meeting with Trump,” he reported.
Ravid suggested that “several diplomatic discussions will take place today at the White House in which Vance will participate,” citing a senior White House official.
During a Tuesday morning interview with Squawk Box, President Trump said he leaned away from extending the ceasefire, and he again threatened to use military force against Iran.
“I expect to be bombing, because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with, but, we’re ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go,” he remarked.
According to the NYT, the ceasefire will officially expire on Wednesday in Iran.
