US-Iran ceasefire faces tests, JD Vance to lead in-person peace talks

Vice President JD Vance will lead in-person talks in Pakistan this weekend, the White House said, as the United States' ceasefire with Iran faced tests over Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.

Vance will be accompanied by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner for the negotiations in Islamabad, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Iranian state media said the country again closed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday in response to Israeli bombardments on Lebanon. Leavitt called those claims "false" but reiterated Trump's demand that the trade route is "reopened immediately, quickly and safely."

Deep confusion also emerged over whether Lebanon was included in the ceasefire. Pakistan, which brokered the deal on Tuesday, and Iran said the pause in fighting would extend to Lebanon. Israel and the White House have denied this, and Israel vowed to continue its war against Hezbollah.