Vance Leads U.S. in Islamabad Peace Talks with Iran

0:00Vice President Vance is heading to Islamabad to lead the U.S. team in a second round of peace talks with Iran, as their two-week ceasefire winds down. The first round there just over a week ago fell apart with no deal. Mainly over Iran's nuclear plans and control of the Shred of Hormuz. Trump made it clear in a recent interview he has no plans to extend that ceasefire. Warning Iran, they'll face big problems if they don't negotiate. Iran fired back with their top negotiators saying they're not talking under threats and might play new cars on the battlefield instead. The U.S. wants full commercial shipping restored through the straight, where 20% of the world's oil flows and a firm promise from Iran, too. Drop nuclear weapon ambitions. Iran's been using that waterway as leverage, slapping tolls on ships since the war kicked off on February 28th. Meanwhile, Iran demands an end to the U.S. naval blockade on their ports and a stop to Israel's actions in Lebanon against Hezbollah.

1:00That area is seen as shaky 10-day ceasefire, but with thousands dead and over a million displaced, tensions run high and global gas prices have spiked, above $4 a gallon. Prospects look dim right now, with Iran unsure about even sending a team, but both sides keep signaling they're ready for more pressure of talks. It's all leaving the region on edge as the clock ticks. I'm Corey with the story, and you've been listening to Anchorage News today, AI-powered