US and Iranian Officials Begin Peace Talks in Pakistan Amid Ongoing Tensions
Top American and Iranian officials have arrived in Pakistan to initiate peace talks aimed at converting a two-week ceasefire into a lasting peace agreement. The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, and the Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, are meeting in Islamabad. The talks come amid a fragile ceasefire, with ongoing tensions as Israel continues strikes in southern Lebanon. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 3,000 deaths in Iran and nearly 2,000 in Lebanon. The war has disrupted the Persian Gulf's connection to the global economy, causing energy prices to soar. Both sides have expressed skepticism about the talks, with Iranian officials demanding a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked Iranian assets as preconditions for further discussions. 
