Iran Rejects US Talks, Strait of Hormuz Closed

0:00Iran just shut down a second round of talks with the United States in Pakistan, according to their state media. President Donald Trump announced he's sending diplomats there today for fresh negotiations amid the ongoing Middle East tensions, but Tehran says no. Dice. The straight-of-war move stays closed, choking off a key oil route. Trump posted about it on true social last night, saying his team would land in Islamabad to push for talks with Iran. Iran's Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif jumped in, chatting with Iranian President Masood Pzezhekian to pledge his country as a neutral go-between. Sharif highlighted Iran's recent high-level visits to Pakistan and talks with their military chief in Tehran. He also looped in his recent meets with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, showing the web of regional diplomacy at play. Roy does confirm the rejection early this morning through Iran's official Islamic Republic news agency. No word yet on whether the U.S. delegation will even get a sit-down.

1:01With the straight-locked tight-and-talk stalled, eyes stay glued on Pakistan as this powder-cake simmers. More moves could drop any hour. That's your Sydney News Today update, AI-powered and always on.