Trump doubts shooter motivated by Iran war as peace talks on hold

News Trump doubts shooter motivated by Iran war as peace talks on hold April 26, 20267:40 AM ET By NPR Staff A Revolutionary Guard Navy (IRGC) speedboat approaches the cargo ship Epaminondas during what state media described as the seizure of one of two vessels accused of violations in the Strait of Hormuz, April 21, 2026. Meysam Mirzadeh/Tasnim News Agency via AP hide caption toggle caption Meysam Mirzadeh/Tasnim News Agency via AP After a shooting incident at the White House Correspondent's Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, President Trump – who was rushed out of the room by the secret service after gunshots rang out – was asked at a press conference if he thought his war in Iran could be a motive. "I don't think so, but you never know," the president replied, adding that more information about the motives of the shooter – who is in custody – would be released when available. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister travelled to Islamabad Sunday — just a day after leaving — but has not confirmed whether he will meet with U.S. officials for potential peace talks. Sponsor Message Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi completed a planned trip to Oman but then returned to Pakistan, which has emerged as a mediator in the conflict and hosted previous peace talks. Trump on Saturday cancelled the U.S. negotiating team's planned second trip to Pakistan shortly after the Iranian foreign minister left, telling reporters he'd rejected a new peace proposal from Iran. Iran's president Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistan's prime minister on Sunday that his country would not enter "forced negotiations" under pressure, threats, or a blockade. Here's more news on the war 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 Saturday for a new round of talks. But Trump called off that trip after the Iranian foreign minister left Pakistan to visit Oman, which has mediated in the past. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi was in Pakistan Sunday for more talks, but Iran has reiterated that the U.S. must lift a blockade on the strait of Hormuz before it goes back to the table. Araghchi's next stop is expected to be Russia. President Trump said in a social media post that if Iran wants to resume talks it can call. Sponsor Message Iran war mediator sends message to Trump Numerous heads of state and officials sent well-wishes to Trump after the correspondent's dinner shooting incident. Among them were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Netanyahu said on X he was shocked by what he called "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 First Lady are safe," he said. "We strongly condemn all forms of violence which is 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 war Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi was in Oman this weekend, where he met Sultan Haitham and discussed efforts to end the Iran war, according to Omani media. "His Majesty the…

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