U.S. delays new round of negotiations with Iran as ceasefire deadline nears

Key Points:

• Last-minute ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran are uncertain as a two-week truce expires, with both sides prepared to resume fighting if no agreement is reached; U.S. Vice President JD Vance canceled a trip to Pakistan, and Iran has not confirmed participation in further talks.
• The U.S. seized an Iranian oil tanker sanctioned for smuggling, escalating tensions amid a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports aimed at pressuring Iran to end control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route.
• President Trump expressed reluctance to extend the ceasefire, warning of increased bombings if no deal is made, while Iran claims to hold undisclosed new military advantages and rejects negotiations under threat.
• Pakistani officials are actively mediating to resume talks, which represent the highest-level U.S.-Iran negotiations since 1979, but Iran accuses the U.S. of demanding surrender and cites unacceptable U.S. actions, including the blockade.
• Separately, Israel sentenced two soldiers to jail for damaging a Jesus statue in Lebanon amid ongoing diplomatic talks with Lebanon aimed at disarming Hezbollah and achieving peace following recent deadly conflicts.