Overview
- Reports on Tuesday said Washington and Tehran had signaled willingness to meet in Islamabad, but a later update said Vice President J.D. Vance’s trip was put on hold and Iran had not confirmed a delegation.
- President Donald Trump said the two‑week truce ends Wednesday evening U.S. time, signaled he is unlikely to extend it, and warned that bombing would resume if there is no deal.
- The U.S. Navy kept a blockade in place and seized an Iranian‑flagged cargo ship near Bandar Abbas over the weekend, releasing video of a Marine boarding, while Iran called the move piracy and a ceasefire violation.
- Iran’s top negotiator said Tehran will not negotiate under threats and pushed for the U.S. to lift its port blockade before any talks, as Pakistan kept security forces ready to host a second round.
- Oil prices swung on the conflicting signals and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that carries about one‑fifth of seaborne oil and gas and has seen ship traffic slow sharply under the standoff.