U.S.-Iran Talks May Resume Within Days as Blockade Tightens and War Toll Rises

Diplomats moved quickly to arrange a second round of talks between the United States and Iran after Washington imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, raising tensions across the region. U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations could resume within two days in Islamabad, a view echoed by UN chief Antonio Guterres after meeting Pakistan’s deputy prime minister. The first round of talks last weekend failed, with Iran’s nuclear program a key issue. Pakistan’s finance minister said efforts to mediate would continue. The conflict, now in its seventh week, has killed at least 3,000 in Iran, over 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, more than a dozen in Gulf states, and 13 U.S. troops. No ships passed the blockade in its first 24 hours, while six vessels turned back, deepening fears of wider escalation.