Trump foreign policy

Trump rules out nuclear strike on Iran, says peace must last

Donald Trump said the U.S. will not use nuclear weapons in the war with Iran, insisting Tehran has already been badly weakened by conventional military force. He also signalled he is not interested in a rushed settlement, saying any agreement with Iran must be durable and lasting.

Donald Trump says the US will not use nuclear weapons against Iran, rejecting nuclear escalation while pushing for a lasting peace agreement after the current ceasefire. — MONTAGE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Trump says U.S.-Iran Islamabad Talks can take place by Friday

As a fragile cease-fire holds, President Trump has signalled that a new round of U.S.-Iran talks could take place within days. In Islamabad, where security has tightened and diplomats are working back channels, Pakistan is trying to turn a brief pause in fighting into a second chance for negotiations.

President Trump has hinted that new U.S.-Iran talks could come within days as Pakistan steps up mediation from Islamabad, seeking to turn a fragile cease-fire into renewed diplomacy. — MONTAGE/THE THURSDAY TIMES
Pakistan, once distrusted by Washington, is now emerging as a crucial back channel in efforts to bring the United States and Iran closer to talks, with Islamabad using diplomacy, geography and revived ties with Donald Trump’s circle to return to the centre of regional strategy. — FILE/THE WHITE HOUSE
Trump signals a possible return to Islamabad for renewed US-Iran talks, praising Pakistan’s mediation role while tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme continue to stall a broader agreement. — FILE
Trump’s comments came as the administration moved to tighten pressure on Tehran following more than 20 hours of talks in Pakistan that failed to resolve the central dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme. — FILE

Trump praises Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir in address to US generals

US President Donald Trump, in an address to American generals, praised Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir for recognising his role in stopping a potential Pakistan–India war and saving millions of lives. Trump called the praise an honour, referenced the downing of seven planes, and said trade pressure was used to defuse the crisis.

Trump says Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir praised him for averting a potential war with India and saving millions of lives. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

A handshake, a medal, and the choreography of realpolitik

Trump may not win the Nobel. Oslo may smile and move on. But Pakistan has already reclaimed what it truly sought: relevance. The gesture may seem excessive, but it’s a quiet re-entry into a room it refuses to be locked out of: a step back into Washington’s good graces.

Trump can shift global discourse in a single sentence, even a foolish one. Pakistan knows this. Munir knows this. So rather than silence or scorn, they gave him something golden: a story to tell about himself. One that benefits them more than him. — MICHAEL MCCALL FOR THE THURSDAY TIMES

Donald Trump calls for US-Canada merger to strengthen ties

Donald Trump suggests Canada become the 51st State, eliminating trade deficits, lowering taxes, and boosting security. He links Justin Trudeau's resignation to reliance on U.S. subsidies. Trump envisions a unified nation as an economic and military powerhouse.

Trump advocates a US-Canada merger for economic and security benefits. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES
Trump’s push for peace talks puts Zelensky on edge, fearing concessions to Putin could weaken Ukraine’s position. — AP
Trump’s call to Putin suggests a shift in US diplomacy as Zelensky voices Ukraine's anxieties. — JORGE SILVA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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