With fewer than two days remaining before the expiration of the current ceasefire, the United States and Iran exchanged sharp threats on Monday, casting a shadow over any prospect of renewed negotiations. A source confirmed to AFP that a U.S. delegation, once again led by Vice President JD Vance, is expected to depart “soon” for Islamabad, Pakistan — though no firm timeline or agenda was disclosed.
The stakes could hardly be higher. The conflict in the Middle East, ignited on February 28 by Israeli-American strikes against Iran, has claimed thousands of lives — primarily in Iran and Lebanon — and sent shockwaves through the global economy. President Trump reiterated his stance on one of the key sticking points in the talks on Monday night. Whether the two sides can bridge their differences before the clock runs out remains the defining question of the week.
