Speculation swirls as Trump cancels Iran talks: 'He is just trying to save face'

President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned diplomatic mission to Pakistan involving senior envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who were scheduled to meet with Iranian representatives, outraging observers.

Trump revealed the decision to a Fox News reporter, Aishah Hasnie, first, stating: "I've told my people a little while ago, they were getting ready to leave, and I said, 'Nope, you're not making an 18 hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking about nothing'."

He then made a similar "all the cards" announcement on social media.

The sudden reversal has drawn criticism from observers across the political spectrum. Former Obama adviser David Axelrod responded with sarcasm: "'We have all the cards,' said the @POTUS, whose casinos went bankrupt six times."

Journalist Glenn Greenwald highlighted the stark contradiction in Trump's messaging, noting a complete policy reversal within 24 hours. "From: Iran is begging for negotiations so I'm sending Jared and Witkoff to: We're not sending anyone because we have all the cards," Greenwald wrote, adding that Iran has repeatedly rejected negotiations with Kushner, viewing him as "an agent of Israel."

America First conservative David Pyne raised concerns about Trump's stated commitment to ending the conflict, saying: "Many Trump supporters believe him when he says his Iran war is over but his decision to continue the US naval blockade and cancel all peace talks with Iran while surging half the US Navy and USAF along with over 10,000 ground troops strongly suggest otherwise."

Ex-prosecutor Joyce Vance captured the shifting messaging with a common comparison: "This is a lot like the weather in Portland, Oregon. If you don't like it, wait 15 minutes and it will change."

Far-right influencer Myron Gaines chimed in, "Pakistan talksTrump didn't cancel the negotiations. Iran did. Trump is just trying to save face. This ceasefire benefits the US/Israel WAY MORE than IranTrump has no cards militarily and he knows it. Any half brain geopolitical commentator knows Iran has escalation dominance right now."