United States President Donald Trump says American officials are on their way to Islamabad for fresh talks with Iran, even as he accuses Tehran of breaching the fragile ceasefire around the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking on Sunday, Trump claimed Iran fired shots in the strait, describing it as a clear violation of the agreement.
He said the U.S. team would arrive in Pakistan shortly to continue negotiations, warning that Washington has already put what he called a “fair and reasonable” deal on the table.
Behind the scenes, the outlook remains uncertain. Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the two sides are still far from reaching a final agreement, with the current two-week ceasefire set to expire in just a few days.
There are signs both countries are willing to keep talking, but key disagreements persist. Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, noted that while dialogue is ongoing, major sticking points remain unresolved.
At the same time, Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, insisted Tehran will not give up what it sees as its right to pursue a nuclear programme.
The wider conflict continues to ripple across the region. The Israeli military says two of its soldiers have been killed in southern Lebanon in recent days, bringing its losses in the current fighting to at least 15.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, criticised Washington’s decision to ease some sanctions on Russian oil, arguing it indirectly funds Moscow’s war effort.
Tensions are also affecting global shipping. Data shows two liquefied petroleum gas tankers turned back from the Persian Gulf after Iran effectively shut down passage through the strait a key route for global energy supplies.
Amid all this, Pope Leo has renewed his appeal for calm, urging all sides to find a peaceful resolution before the situation escalates further.
Trump, however, struck a much tougher tone.
He warned that if Iran rejects the U.S. proposal, Washington could target critical infrastructure, including power plants and bridges a threat that underscores just how high the stakes have become.
