Keep pulling the thread on Lebanon Threaten Talks.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled to take place on Saturday morning local time in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Iran has publicly stated that negotiations with the U.S. cannot begin unless there is a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and its frozen assets are released.
Despite a ceasefire agreement, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, with only nine vessels, all tied to Iran, having been allowed to pass through since the truce was announced.
The New York Post reported that President Donald Trump is making plans for additional military strikes on Iran if the upcoming diplomatic talks fail.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that military operations against the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah will continue.
President Trump has threatened to strike all of Iran's electric generating plants if a diplomatic deal is not reached.
The Pentagon will require approximately $200 billion in emergency spending from Congress to continue military operations against Iran.
The House of Representatives is expected to take up a reconciliation bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which President Trump wants on his desk by June 1st.
The Ayatollah of Iran has declared that Iran is in control of the Strait of Hormuz, a position considered a red line by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
The European Union has frozen 20 billion euros in funds designated for Hungary due to concerns over the rule of law.
A transcript of an October call revealed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban telling Russian President Vladimir Putin, "I'm here at your service."
The White House has maintained that a ceasefire in Lebanon was never part of the discussions for the truce with Iran.