The US and Iran are discussing another round of face-to-face talks to secure a longer-term ceasefire after recent negotiations in Islamabad, led by JD Vance, ended without a deal.

Officials hope to meet again before the current two-week ceasefire expires next week, possibly in Islamabad or another location.

Source: Bloomberg

At Islamabad talks, the US demanded Iran halt uranium enrichment for 20 years; Iran offered up to five.

The US also wants enriched uranium removed, while Iran insists on keeping it but diluting it.

Source: NYT

JD Vance on the Iran talks:

I wouldn’t just say things went wrong. I also think things went right.

We made a lot of progress...

JD Vance claims:

Trump wants the Iranian people to thrive and succeed.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Iran:

Trump knew going into this that if you disrupt the flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz in the short term, you’re going to push up energy prices.

JD Vance:

We didn’t go to Hungary because we expected Viktor Orbán to cruise to an election victory; we went because we thought it was the right thing to do.

JD Vance:

I am sure we will work very well with the next prime minister of Hungary.

JD Vance on Trump posting himself as Jesus:

I think Trump was posting a joke and, of course, he took it down because he recognized that a lot of people weren’t understanding his humor in that case.

JD Vance:

I think that, in some cases, it would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality.

IDF announces the killing of a soldier in Lebanon: Master Sergeant (Res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco, 30.

Senator Graham on Iran:

Their reason for living is to die. They want to die a martyr’s death.

They want to bring back the missing Mahdi—the 12th Imam—who will come back and save the world, in their view, through chaos.

Senator Graham on Iran:

To the Pope: you’re a good, holy man. You don’t understand the evil of Iran—you’re miscalculating here.

The Catholic Church—God bless it—in the 1930s didn’t really get Hitler.

And to the Pope: you really don’t get this regime—the Ayatollah and his henchmen.

Mark Carney has secured a majority government after his Liberal Party won key special elections, allowing them to pass laws without opposition support.

Marco Rubio will host Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington on Tuesday to begin direct negotiations.

Source: Axios

Saudi Arabia is pushing the U.S. to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and resume talks, fearing escalation with Iran.

Officials warn Iran could retaliate by disrupting the Bab al-Mandeb, a key route for oil exports.

Source: WSJ

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in China:

We are living through times of change; the international order that once prevailed is being undermined by significant actors.

There are those who choose to deny reality. We prefer to focus our efforts on reforming this international order.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in China:

Relations between China and Spain are in very good shape... We have established a strategic dialogue.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in China:

I firmly believe it is in the interest of both Spain and Europe to strengthen ties with China.

Iran says initial estimates put war losses at $270 billion.

The figure is not final.

The defense pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia appears uneven.

Pakistan is explicitly obligated to send military forces to defend Saudi Arabia if requested, with clear language outlining that responsibility.

By contrast, there is no equally clear clause requiring Saudi Arabia to defend Pakistan in return.

Source: Drop Site News

A U.S.-sanctioned Chinese tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite the U.S. blockade, according to shipping data.

The vessel, Rich Starry, carrying about 250,000 barrels of methanol, is the first known tanker to exit the Gulf since the blockade began.