Emirates Iran War

The U.S. military claims it has successfully begun enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, escalating tensions with Iran. The Islamic Republic has threatened regional strikes. Recent talks between the U.S. and Iran ended without an agreement, but President Donald Trump suggested a second round could take place in the next two days. Meanwhile, Lebanon and Israel opened their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington, as fierce fighting between the Israeli military and Hezbollah militants rocks southern Lebanon. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio took part, joining the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the U.S.

Pakistan’s army chief is meeting with Iranian officials for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move to ease tensions in the region and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran. That’s according to the Pakistani military, which said Wednesday that the delegation included the country’s interior minister and other senior security officials. The military said the visit was “part of the ongoing mediation efforts,” but gave no further details. Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator in the conflict. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the U.S. will ramp up its infliction of economic pain on Iran. Bessent said the effort would be the “financial equivalent” of a bombing campaign.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has turned to naval blockades to pressure the gover…