This morning, as the United States and Israel's war with Iran neared the end of its sixth week, Vice President Vance headed for Pakistan, where he plans to sit down with Iranian officials. With a precarious two-week cease-fire in place since Tuesday, both parties are at least potentially open to a resolution'but we shouldn't expect any immediate results. That temporary cease-fire is already fracturing: On Wednesday, Israel conducted mass strikes on Lebanon, killing more than 300 people and wounding more than 1,000. Iran says that Lebanon was part of the deal; the U.S. and Israel disagree. In Pakistan, Vance will likely push for an outright end to Iran's nuclear program. The Iranians want to end the strikes, to affirm their right to nuclear enrichment, to continue asserting control over the all-important Strait of Hormuz, and to collect reparations for war damages, among other concessions. Today, one Iranian official suggested that the government would delay talks until two new...
learn more
