US President Donald Trump canceled the trip of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan, which was scheduled for Saturday, for talks with Iran, leaving him with difficult options on how to push Tehran to make the concessions the White House seeks to reach a deal, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper added, in a report published on Sunday, that Trump confirmed late Saturday that the shooting incident during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., would not deter him from achieving victory in the war with Iran.

Earlier that same day, Trump announced he had decided to cancel his envoys' trip to Pakistan because the Iranian offer did not meet White House expectations, adding that US officials received a better offer shortly after canceling the trip. He continued: 'We will not spend 15 hours on flights back and forth to get an insufficient document.'

Witkoff and Kushner were expected to travel to Islamabad for a possible meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but US and Iranian officials confirmed that the two sides remain far from agreement on issues such as the US blockade, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran's nuclear program.

Iran narrows Trump's options

The report noted that the stalemate in talks puts Trump before difficult options, as he can escalate the conflict, accept a deal he does not want, or continue using the blockade to pressure Iran to concede.

The newspaper said Trump appears reluctant to return to fighting, which could drag the United States into a conflict he sought to end within four to six weeks. It added that maintaining the blockade while Iran prevents the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could cause further damage to the global economy.

The newspaper explained that Araghchi returned to Islamabad on Sunday after a short visit to Oman, which serves as another mediator in the conflict. An Iranian diplomat and other informed sources reported that there is a possibility of holding a meeting with the United States in the coming days.

However, there were no clear indications of an imminent resumption of talks, according to the Wall Street Journal. On Sunday, Pakistani authorities began reopening roads and areas that had been under security restrictions since last week in anticipation of a visit by US Vice President JD Vance, which was also canceled.

Iranian officials, in public statements, emphasized the demands that have been hindering the resumption of talks.

A statement from the Iranian presidency reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the US blockade imposed on Iranian ports during a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and demanded guarantees that Tehran would not be subjected to any new attack.

The statement added that he 'urged Pakistan and other Islamic countries to push Washington toward a dialogue free of pressure and threats.'

Tehran's internal divisions

In a social media post, Trump blamed internal divisions in Iran for canceling Saturday's visit, saying: 'There is intense internal conflict and confusion within their leadership. No one knows who is in charge, including themselves.'

The report noted that hardliners in Tehran, who have long opposed rapprochement with the West, see that the United States cannot be trusted after Washington and Israel launched two strikes on Iran amid negotiations.

The newspaper quoted Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East program at Chatham House in London, as saying: 'Iranians do not want to meet face-to-face unless their positions align with those of the United States. They see no benefit in meeting because it gives Trump too much control over the narrative, which they are keen not to grant him.'

The newspaper reported that diplomatic efforts appeared more active on Friday with Araghchi's arrival in Islamabad, where he was officially present to deliver messages to the United States via Pakistan, according to his spokesperson.

The report explained that the two sides face a set of intertwined issues that hinder reaching a long-term solution to the conflict, including differing views on the terms of the agreement that stopped fighting earlier this month.

The newspaper quoted Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, as saying: 'Both sides believe they have the upper hand, and maritime navigation must be reopened simultaneously.'

Iranian parliament vice-speaker Ali Nikzad stated on Sunday that Iran wants to maintain its control over the Strait of Hormuz permanently, saying: 'We will not return the strait to its previous state under any circumstances.'

Nuclear program gap

The report added that even if the two sides resolve their differences over Lebanon and the maritime blockade, they would still need to bridge the gap over Iran's nuclear program, as the United States wants Tehran to transfer its high-enriched uranium stockpiles out of the country and eliminate its ability to enrich uranium domestically.

However, Tehran insists that maintaining the nuclear program is a 'red line,' and the newspaper quoted Iran's ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, as saying on social media on Saturday: 'Negotiations can only lead to a suitable outcome when our adversaries recognize our nation's right to peaceful nuclear energy.'

The report noted some progress on the enrichment file, as the United States currently demands a 20-year suspension of enrichment, while officials from mediating countries say Washington might allow Iran to conduct some enrichment during the second decade.

Iran announced that it might be ready to suspend its uranium enrichment program for five years, with the possibility of extending the program for an additional five years under restrictions, according to the Wall Street Journal citing sources familiar with the negotiations.

The report added that the two sides, despite difficulties, appear unwilling to resume fighting, as Trump extended the ceasefire agreement last week, but continued to direct threats at Iran.

An Iranian diplomat and other informed sources reported that Tehran informed Pakistan that ending these threats could help persuade 'hardliners' of the need to resume talks.