“FOOLED TWICE”: Iran Expresses Deep Mistrust of Trump Ahead of Islamabad Summit
TEHRAN / ISLAMABAD — In a move that threatens to derail the most significant diplomatic “off-ramp” of the Second Iran War, Iranian officials have reportedly told international mediators that they are unwilling to accept a deal based on “empty promises.” According to a report by Axios on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Tehran’s negotiators claim they have been “tricked twice” by President Donald Trump and refuse to be “fooled again.”
The blunt message was delivered to mediators from Qatar, Oman, and Pakistan just hours before high-level delegations were expected to convene in Islamabad for a potential ceasefire summit.
The “Double Betrayal” Narrative
Sources close to the Iranian Foreign Ministry suggest that Tehran’s current hesitation is rooted in two specific historical and recent grievances involving the Trump administration:
- The JCPOA Withdrawal (2018): Iranian officials frequently cite Trump’s decision to unilaterally exit the 2015 nuclear deal as the “first trick,” which they claim destroyed years of diplomatic trust.
- The “False De-escalation” (March 2026): Tehran alleges that during recent backchannel talks led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, they were promised a “tactical pause” in strikes that never fully materialized on the ground, citing the recent hit on the Bushehr Nuclear Plant site as evidence of U.S. “bad faith.”
“The message from Tehran is clear: They don’t want a handshake; they want a signature that cannot be erased by a post on Truth Social.” — Senior Regional Diplomat to Axios
A Crisis of Personnel: The Vance vs. Kushner Factor
The report of “mistrust” aligns with Iran’s recent demand—reported by CNN earlier today—to negotiate directly with Vice President JD Vance instead of the “inner circle” team of Kushner and Witkoff.
The “Private Envoy” Problem:
- Lack of Accountability: Iran reportedly views Kushner and Witkoff as “private citizens” whose agreements may not be legally binding on the U.S. government.
- The “Vance” Pivot: By requesting the Vice President, Iran is attempting to force a formal, institutional commitment that they believe would be harder for the President to walk back.
The Stakes: The Friday Deadline (March 27, 2026)
The “don’t want to be fooled again” stance creates a dangerous impasse as the U.S. ultimatum looms.
| Stakeholder | Current Position |
| Iran | Demands full sanctions relief and reparations before any ceasefire. |
| President Trump | Declared the “war won” and expects an unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Friday. |
| Jared Kushner | Currently on the ground in the region, attempting to salvage the 15-point plan. |
| The IDF | Publicly states it needs “several more weeks” to finish its strategic goals, regardless of the deal. |
The “Verification” Hurdle
To bridge this trust gap, mediators are reportedly discussing a “Sequential De-escalation” model. This would involve the U.S. unfreezing a specific portion of Iranian assets before Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, rather than demanding Iranian compliance first. However, the Trump administration has historically rejected “front-loaded” concessions.
What’s Next?
The Thursday, March 26 summit in Islamabad is now being described by Pakistani officials as a “make-or-break” moment. If the Iranian delegation—potentially led by Abbas Araghchi—does not show up or refuses to engage with the Kushner-led team, the U.S. “tactical pause” will likely expire on Friday. This would pave the way for the “total infrastructure phase” of the war, a scenario Shell’s CEO warned today could trigger global fuel shortages by next month.