'Great respect for Pakistan': Trump again praises Islamabad for peace efforts

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday again commended Pakistan’s efforts for peace talks, stating that he has “great respect for Pakistan” and that it has been “terrific”.

“Great respect for Pakistan, but I will, because they’ve been terrific. They’ve really tried, and they’ll stay involved,” he said in an interview on Fox News.

Trump said that Iran could reach out to the US if it wanted to negotiate an end to the war between the two countries.

"If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines, but we're not sending people to travel 18 hours to meet," he said.

Trump also referred to nuclear-related issues as part of any potential negotiations, saying, "But again, they know what has to be in the agreement, very simple. They cannot have a nuclear weapon. Otherwise, there's no reason to meet."

Earlier, Trump said he is willing to engage with whoever is in charge of Iran, adding that Tehran can contact Washington at any time, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.

Speaking after the incident, Trump stated that a planned visit by US envoys Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan had been cancelled due to changes in the timing of talks with Iranian officials. 

Donald Trump said the meeting with Iranian representatives was expected to take place on Tuesday as he was informed.

He added that US representatives could not be expected to travel long distances for discussions, noting that the proposed journey to Pakistan would have required extensive travel. 

The US president also clarified that the decision not to send a delegation did not indicate any intention to escalate conflict.

Trump further stated that there was no current consideration of restarting hostilities, emphasising that diplomatic options remained open.

The US President also claimed that there were significant internal disagreements within Iran’s leadership, suggesting uncertainty over decision-making authority. 

He said that different factions appeared to be in conflict and that leadership structures were under strain.

According to his remarks, the situation inside Iran reflected ongoing internal political tensions, which he linked to broader regional instability.

In fresh remarks, Trump praised Pakistan’s role in diplomatic efforts linked to Iran. He described Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as “outstanding” and said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also “great”.

He further called Pakistan a tremendous country and said the Pakistani leadership also wanted to see progress in negotiations concerning Iran.

--Gunfire during Trump's press dinner--

Earlier, US Secret Service agents bundled Donald Trump from the stage as shots rang out Saturday evening at a media gala, in what the president later described as an attack by a "would-be assassin".

Armed guards opened fire at the gunman who charged through security screening just outside the ballroom of the hotel, where Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, many senior government officials and hundreds of other black-tie guests had gathered.

People dived under tables in chaotic scenes as Secret Service teams swarmed into the black-tie White House Correspondents' Dinner held annually at the Washington Hilton in the US capital.

"A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of the Secret Service," Trump told a press conference at the White House shortly after the incident.

"They seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too," he said, after posting video of the gunman sprinting past security as guards drew their weapons and opened fire. The man was detained at the scene.

Trump said one officer was shot at close range but appeared to not be seriously injured. He added that the venue was "not a particularly secure" facility as questions swirled about the president's safety after repeated security lapses.