Following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, President Trump – who was swiftly escorted out of the room by the Secret Service after gunshots were heard – was questioned at a press conference about whether his conflict with Iran could have been a motive. “I don’t think so, but you never know,” the President responded, adding that further information regarding the motives of the shooter, who is currently in custody, would be disclosed once available.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister traveled to Islamabad on Sunday – just a day after his previous departure – though he has not confirmed whether he will meet with U.S. officials for potential peace discussions. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi concluded a scheduled trip to Oman before returning to Pakistan, a nation that has positioned itself as a mediator in the conflict and previously hosted peace negotiations.
On Saturday, Trump canceled the U.S. negotiating team’s planned second trip to Pakistan shortly after the Iranian Foreign Minister’s departure, informing reporters that he had rejected a new peace proposal from Iran. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian informed Pakistan’s Prime Minister on Sunday that his country would not engage in “forced negotiations” under duress, threats, or a blockade.
Here’s more news on the conflict in the Middle East:
Talks on Hold
White House envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner had been scheduled to travel to Islamabad on Saturday for a new round of discussions. However, Trump canceled that trip after the Iranian Foreign Minister departed Pakistan to visit Oman, a country that has previously served as a mediator.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, was in Pakistan on Sunday for further talks, but Iran has reiterated that the U.S. must lift a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz before it returns to negotiations. Araghchi’s next destination is anticipated to be Russia.
President Trump stated in a social media post that if Iran wishes to resume talks, it can initiate contact.
Iran Conflict Mediator Sends Message to Trump
Numerous heads of state and officials extended well-wishes to Trump following the correspondents’ dinner shooting incident. Among them were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Netanyahu stated on X that he was shocked by what he termed “the attempted assassination of President @realDonaldTrump last night in Washington, DC. We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong.” Dar, who has been mediating between Iran and the U.S., also posted on X. “Deeply shocked by the cowardly shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. We are relieved that President Trump @realDonaldTrump, Vice President Vance @JDVance, and the First Lady are safe,” he stated. “We strongly condemn all forms of violence, which is an enemy of diplomacy and intolerable in any civilized society. Our best wishes go out to @POTUS and the American people.”
Turkey, Oman Weigh In on Conflict
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Oman this weekend, where he met Sultan Haitham and discussed efforts to end the Iran conflict, according to Omani media. “His Majesty the Sultan emphasized the critical importance of prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy as the primary tools for addressing complex issues and establishing a firm foundation for lasting peace,” the Muscat Daily newspaper reported.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Foreign Minister held a phone call with U.S. negotiators, according to Turkish state media.
Fighting Continues in Lebanon
Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli military to “vigorously attack Hezbollah targets” in Lebanon. His remarks late Saturday come as a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was extended for three weeks, according to President Trump.
However, both sides have been claiming attacks in recent days. Israel has carried out almost daily airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting what it claims are threats from Hezbollah. These strikes have killed at least two dozen people since the ceasefire took effect, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. This includes prominent Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, who was killed while reporting.
Hezbollah states it has fired several rounds of rockets into northern Israel in response to what it claims are Israeli violations of the ceasefire. Many in Lebanon are closely monitoring the status of the U.S.-Iran peace talks, concerned that if those discussions collapse, the conflict there will fully reignite.
Reporting contributed by Kat Lonsdorf in Beirut, Jane Arraf in Amman, Jordan, Durrie Bouscaren in Istanbul, and Kate Bartlett in Johannesburg.
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