Keep pulling the thread on United States.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz is the central sticking point preventing direct talks between the U.S. and Iran.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to a U.S. blockade.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is creating mounting pressure on global energy markets.
According to a report in The Times citing four senior Iranian officials, Iran's Supreme Leader was severely wounded in an attack, is mentally sharp, has undergone multiple surgeries, and is awaiting a prosthetic.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas al-Rahqchi is in Islamabad, Pakistan for meetings with Pakistani officials.
A U.S. delegation is expected to arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan over the weekend for talks related to the conflict with Iran.
Pakistan is acting as an intermediary in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, with the two sides expected to pass messages through Pakistani officials rather than meeting directly.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance are not attending the diplomatic talks in Pakistan.
The White House's decision not to send Vice President J.D. Vance to the talks in Pakistan is a deliberate signal of disinterest.
U.S. officials believe the Iranian delegation in Pakistan is not empowered to negotiate, partly due to security concerns regarding the undisclosed location of the Supreme Leader.
Diplomats in the Gulf region lack confidence in the U.S.-Iran talks and in Pakistan's ability to mediate effectively.
Gulf and Western officials believe reaching a diplomatic deal between the U.S. and Iran will take approximately six months.