Former C.I.A. analyst Ray McGovern and ex-U.N. weapons inspector Scott Ritter join The World This Week to discuss the latest developments in the Iran war as Donald Trump cancels his realtors’ return to Islamabad. 8 pm EDT, Saturday.
Guests: Ray McGovern and Scott Ritter. Interviewer: Joe Lauria. Producer: Cathy Vogan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was already in Islamabad with a written proposal to end the war to present to the United States. The Iranian foreign ministry said the proposal would have been transmitted through Pakistani mediators and not directly to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the New York real estate agents that Donald Trump initially was sending to the Pakistani capital on Saturday.
Vice President J.D. Vance, who led the U.S. side in the failed talks earlier this month, was being held behind in Washington “on standby … if we feel it’s a necessary use of his time,” said Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary.
But on Saturday, Trump abruptly canceled Witkoff and Kushner’s departure.
“I’ve told my people a little while ago, they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18-hour flight to go there. We have all the cards,’” Trump said in a statement. “They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.”
Having said he would not meet directly with Trump’s envoy, Araghchi had left Pakistan before the cancellation of the U.S. delegations’ flight, according to Western and Iranian outlets. Press TV reported:
“The Iranian delegation left Islamabad before US envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were expected to travel to the Pakistani capital to meet with mediators.
US President Donald Trump, however, later told Fox News that he had canceled the visit.
Tehran had previously said that there was no plan for the Iranian delegation to meet with the American representatives in Islamabad.”
Huge differences remain in the standoff between the two sides in a war that has been on hold since Trump blinked and extended a ceasefire “indefinitely” last Tuesday. Iran wants sanctions lifted and assets unfrozen; an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports; a vow of U.S. non-aggression and the removal of U.S. troops from the Middle East.
The U.S. wants the Strait of Hormuz opened, an end to nuclear enrichment by Iran and a hidden stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium. It seems the U.S. is no longer demanding that Iran give up its ballistic missile defense.
There could be room for a deal on the enrichment issue. At the first round of talks, Iran proposed a five-year, monitored suspension of all nuclear enrichment, even though Iran is permitted to enrich under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). The U.S. countered with a proposal for a 20-year suspension.
Before Trump had agreed to extend the ceasefire indefinitely, he threatened to destroy Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure. Iran has vowed to retaliate in kind against Gulf Arab states and Israel. A resumption of hostilities promises to bring about extensive regional destruction that would plunge the world into a long-term economic crisis of historic proportions.
Despite saying the U.S. “holds all the cards,” the U.S. and Israel had failed to achieve all of its war aims: overthrowing the Iranian government, destroying its ballistic missiles, seizing a stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium and its capacity to enrich more.
1917 Again in Russia?
McGovern and Ritter will also discuss the battlefield in Ukraine and the domestic situation in Russia after the leader of the main opposition party, Russian Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, told the State Duma: “If you don’t quickly take measures – financial, economic and other measures -then by autumn what await us is what happened in 1917.”
“Got Punked?”
ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: No doubt about it, what remains is no longer the plan; but, the consequences. Witkoff & Kushner *“engaging in talks — direct talks — intermediated by the Pakistanis,” tabled by Iran. Contrary, to Trump’s warped thinking, Iran “holds all the cards”. Itsa “Straight Flush!” Ray McGovern. TY!
…“Before DJ “Keyboard Warrior” Trump, “crowed” in the morning”, Araghchi & his Delegation, was gone! W/“Love” Fm, Pakistan. Onward & Upwards, *“Embarking on timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow. Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbors are our priority.” Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 24, 2026.
Consequently, DJ’s “the Gemini” Trump’s $cheme, his Dream Team, Witkoff/Kushner, “brokering” a piece deal, “GOT” straight-up grounded! Punked! Everybody knows, there’s “No Love” in Islamabad, for Trump’s regime. A bad beginning; AND, “A Bad Trip” ends w/DJ Trump sabotaging a chance for a Last Dance, in Pakistan , for “Peace” between the USG, Israel, Iran.
Trump’s repugnant propaganda wreaks havoc. Trump said, “IRAN can call anytime; AND, that the U.S. holds all the cards.” Regressing, on FOX News, Trump said about Iran’s Leadership: “They’re all messed up. They have no idea who their leader is. You know, we took out, really, three levels of leaders. And everybody that was even close behind him.” … “So they have a hard time figuring out who the hell can speak for the country. They just don’t know.” Tehran relied on to project power have been crushed.” Commander-N-Chief, DJ “the Bloody, f/Orange Bone $pur” Trump. “Thank you, for your attention to this matter.” DJT.
Consequently, Trump pivots, to the WHCD aka DC’s “PROM” Night aka Trump’s “BIG” Dance. ‘Oh $h*t,“Gone” ratchet!! Before the first dance! That ballroom was outta control. The message is loud & clear, “Wake Up, MF’s! “We” are women & men.” The currency is hate & war. They, “Trump-Vance, Inc, are “The Godless Ones”.
TY, Joe Lauria, Ray McGovern, Cathy Vogan. Imo, “Pakistan Today” oughta link: hxxps://consortiumnews.com/2026/04/25/watch-the-world-this-week-war-on-hold/, to their Front Page! Flawlessly, unpacked @ “The World This Week”. TY.
* hxxps://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/04/24/iranian-fm-expected-to-arrive-tonight-as-us-announces-delegation-to-pakistan
* SUMUD” Roger Waters @ hxxps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Er2rA9zb1Ao&list=RDEr2rA9zb1Ao&start_radio=1&pp=ygUSUm9nZXIgd2F0ZXJzIHNhbXVkoAcB
Cole Tomas Allen, the shooter at the WHCA dinner, seems real enough, a lone wolf with personal grievances. But he is not the issue. The media and public response which will be demanded by Pres.Tump and the Republicans is that “hate speech” of any kind must be denounced and rejected. No public criticism of Trump for his war actions, none at all for his war criminal murderer Pete Hegseth, and none either for FBI’s Kash Patel, his work performance or his alcoholism. Journalists and Democrats must self censor to ensure that “hate speech” is defeated. Meanwhile, 30 million Asians are sitting on the brink of famine because Trump has decreed that Iran’s release of tankers from the Hormuz Strait must not take place and that only the US is permitted to control that release of oil and fertilizer to nations approved of by Trump. Having lost the Iran war Trump is now demanding that they unconditionally surrender. Everything out of his mouth is a lie. He is further going to insist that journalists and Democrats sit in any meeting with him and politely listen to insults to their face and total propaganda crap — in order to avoid the charge of “hate speech.” It doesn’t have to be that way. They should simply not attend any future Trump social events. In domestic violence families learn to walk on egg shells around violent daddy. US society should not be submitting to this narcissistic thuggery however insisted upon by Trump.
Hi, Fred,
Nooooo doubt about it, what remains is no longer the plan; but, the consequences, i.e., “hate speech” of any kind must be denounced and rejected.” Update: IN PROCESS! i.e., “ABC, Fire, Kimmel,” DJT, Killer-N-Chief.
Hence, the ask, “Wake Up, MF’s! “We” are women & men.” The currency is hate & war. “They”, Trump-Vance, Inc., are “The Godless Ones”!!! MY (LeoSun’s) words NOT Cole Tomas Allen’s. W/o a doubt, to “be denounced and rejected,” is Trump-Vance, Inc. “Drop Food NOT Bombs” has never f/ever been DJTrump’s jam!
“The proof is in the pudding”: [The proof of the pudding is in the eating.]
7.10.25 “US sanctions UN expert Francesca Albanese, critic of Israel’s Gaza offensive The sanctions are likely to prevent Albanese from travelling to the US and would block any assets she has in the country.” 11.9.25, “Francesca Albanese says she cannot open a bank account and is treated like ‘Bin Laden’ in wake of US sanctions” @ hxxps://www.thejc.com/news/world/francesca-albanese-says-she-cannot-open-a-bank-account-and-is-treated-like-bin-laden-in-wake-of-us-sanctions-msayiz48.
… 3.31.26 “She Spoke Out About Gaza. Now She Can’t Use a Credit Card”(Politico).
7.31.25 “US State Department sanctions Palestinian Authority” – The administration of United States President Donald Trump has announced sanctions against members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), accusing them of supporting “terrorism” and seeking to destabilise peace efforts.”
….. “Thursday’s announcement from Trump’s Department of State [Trump’s Caddy, “little” Marco Rubio] DENIES visas to members of either organisation. @ hxxps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/31/us-state-department-sanctions-palestinian-authority-for-undermining-peace @ hxxps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KpOz8VZsxBw&pp=ugUEEgJlbg%3D%3D
1.07.26: WITHDRAWING FROM INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: “Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations that no longer serve American interests.”
….. “The Memorandum orders all Executive Departments and Agencies to cease participating in and funding 35 non-United Nations (UN) organizations and 31 UN entities that operate contrary to U.S. national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty.“ The WH of Voodoo @ hxxps://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-withdraws-the-united-states-from-international-organizations-that-are-contrary-to-the-interests-of-the-united-states/
….“Meanwhile, 30 million Asians are sitting on the brink of famine because” the ICEY Kingdom’s empire is f.u.b.a.r.
In my City, the hungry, the homeless, the drug addled, the unemployed, are trapped, w/o a current I.D., no address, no money; AND, it’s “against the law to be homeless”. The cards are stacked against ‘em. As you say, “It doesn’t have to be that way.” The dove is never free! TY, Fred. “Keep It Lit!”
“IRAN can call anytime”
Sounds like a petulant, rejected lover.
Great comments LeoSun. And great interview as usual.
“Claro que sí” Valerie.
“Great interview.” 100%! ‘As usual’, “in the moment of crisis the wise build bridges & the foolish build dams.” Nigerian proverb.
Onward & Upwards. TY, Valerie.
Americans seem sanguine about the millions the U.S. murders in every corner of the globe, I think, because U.S. wars of aggression — they are all wars of aggression — are all fought thousands of miles away. No bombs fall 0n U.S. neighbourhoods, Americans’ friends and family do not die horrible deaths in their thousands, U.S. infrastructure is not destroyed, Americans do not starve.
Here is Trump quote: “No, I wouldn’t use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody”
Recently a reporter asked Trump if he would use the atomic bomb. His response: That is a stupid question. (I must paraphrasse the rest: No one should use an atomic bomb. … it’s a quote worth finding.
Can we claim that justice prevails whne it is only Trump to be brought to court? Not Obama? Not Hilary Clinton? Not the killer of Seth Rich? etc.
“What have we been????” Thank you, Joe. This is the question that must be asked, ans asked again and again and again.
The history is horrendous. Hidden. Not taught in our schools, Not mentioned in the media. The public in general are absolutely ignorant of the truth. Imagine, Condolesa Rice is now faculty at Columbia Univeristy … not before the court in the Hague along with her compatriots from the Bush administration. And then there is ‘saint’ Obama who gets a free pass for the murder of Osama Bin Lsden, the horrendous and vicious attack on more whistleblowers than all prior presidents combined. We have much to atone for.