Islamabad Lockdown: Waiting for US-Iran Peace Talks

0:00On April 24, Islamabad's been on lockdown for almost a week now, waiting for U.S. Iran peace talks that just aren't showing up. The city's red zone is sealed tight, major roads blocked, and securities everywhere, even though no delegates have arrived. This is the second time in two weeks they've done this. First round kicked off on April 11, but ended without any deal, city reopened briefly. Then locked down again as Pakistan stays ready for round two. Residents are feeling the squeeze hard, especially weekend commuters who can't get home. Bus terminals sit empty, stranding over a thousand folks daily, while fruit and veggie sellers deal with spoiled goods stuck outside the perimeter cafes running low on basics, like strawberries. Journalists from around the world are hold up in hotels, gear ready, constantly refreshing phones, but it's all limbo no talks, no stories, just. Endless waiting, with some even joking about laundry requests piling up. Officials insist they're prepped for anyone, even President Trump, at a moment's notice, but with no end date for the lockdown or the bigger tensions.

1:06Like the Strait of Hormuz, uncertainty rules the day in Pakistan's capital. I'm Cory with the story, and you've been listening to U.S. News today, AI-powered national coverage.