The Latest: Trump sending Witkoff and Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran foreign minister

The Trump administration is dispatching Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iranian representatives, according to administration officials. The move signals a diplomatic channel alongside the ongoing military campaign, as the 55-day conflict with Iran continues to reshape the region's security landscape.

The talks come at a critical juncture. The U.S. military's precision munitions stockpiles are significantly depleted, and both domestic and international pressure for a resolution is intensifying. Pakistan, which maintains relationships with both Washington and Tehran, has previously served as a backchannel for diplomatic communications.

The involvement of Kushner — who has no formal diplomatic background but maintains close ties to the administration — has drawn criticism from foreign policy veterans who question whether personal relationships should drive state-level negotiations. Witkoff, a real estate developer turned envoy, has been the administration's point person on Middle East matters since the conflict began.

The diplomatic track suggests the administration recognizes that military action alone cannot achieve its objectives, particularly as weapons depletion and global economic disruptions from the conflict continue to mount.

What This Means For You: Any diplomatic progress toward de-escalation would likely ease oil prices and calm financial markets that have been volatile since the conflict began. If you're watching gas prices or have investments in energy or defense sectors, these backchannel talks could be the most consequential near-term variable. A ceasefire would be market-positive; a breakdown would add fuel to inflationary pressures.