Despite the two-week ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump, the Middle East has plunged back into chaos. Following a massive Israeli missile strike on Lebanon—reportedly 100 missiles in just 10 minutes—Iran has retaliated by re-closing the crucial Strait of Hormuz. This move comes as a major blow to the hopes of reopening the shipping route this week.

Amidst this escalation, a high-level meeting between US and Iranian officials is scheduled for this Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan. Vice President JD Vance, along with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, will lead the American delegation. While Washington aims to find a permanent solution within the 14-day window, Vance clarified that the Lebanon strike is a separate issue and was never part of the ceasefire agreement. The world now watches closely to see if Tehran will proceed with the talks or escalate further.