Iran ceasefire nears its deadline. Trump toughens rhetoric, the US seizes an Iranian vessel, Strait of Hormuz fears shake markets, and Israel strikes Lebanon despite a truce.

Vice President JD Vance and top US officials are expected to depart today for Islamabad, Pakistan, ahead of a potential second round of talks with Iran, sources said. Follow for live updates.

Iran announced it would fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, but Trump said the blockade will remain in place until the U.S.'s "transaction" with Iran is complete.

The prospect of a second round of talks was uncertain after Iran’s chief negotiator said Iran would not negotiate in the face of threats from U.S.

Pakistan pressed ahead Tuesday with the groundwork for a second round of talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad as a fragile ceasefire hung in the balance, even though it remained unclear whether Tehran would send a delegation.

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to most commercial shipping traffic due to Iran's threats and despite an ongoing U.S. military blockade of Iranian ports aimed at forcing a reopening. The tanker gridlock is keeping global oil and gas prices high and keeping pressure on all parties to the conflict to find a solution.

With the US and Israel pressing for a resolution on Iran’s nuclear threats, Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz remains a key point of negotiation. The dispute between the United States – as

Iran executes two members of the banned opposition group MEK, accusing them of spying for Israel. The regime's judiciary chief vows "no leniency."