Middle East ceasefire remains fragile as US-Iran talks approach

A two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is under severe strain as negotiations scheduled for Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan, approach. Tehran has accused Israel of violating the truce through intense airstrikes in Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of casualties, including 33 children killed on Wednesday. While the U.S. and Israel maintain that the ceasefire does not cover Lebanon, Iran insists it is a core condition of their agreement. Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues, with only six ships passing in the first 24 hours of the truce compared to the usual 140. President Donald Trump has criticized Iran for poor management of the waterway, while Hezbollah continues to target Israeli military infrastructure. In response to pressure from Washington, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered immediate direct talks with Lebanon aimed at disarming Hezbollah. These talks are expected to begin next week at the State Department in Washington. The overall death toll in Lebanon from recent strikes is reported to be over 300, with ongoing recovery efforts.