The US and Iran prepared for direct talks in Pakistan with the Strait of Hormuz still effectively shut and Israel and Hezbollah exchanging fire, complicating efforts to turn a fragile truce into lasting peace.

The U.S. and Iran have just twelve days to strike a peace deal — an incredibly tight window to hash out a lasting agreement.

Israel pounded Lebanon with its heaviest strikes ⁠yet ⁠on Wednesday, killing hundreds of people and drawing a threat of ⁠retaliation from Iran, which suggested it would be "unreasonable" to proceed with talks to forge a permanent peace deal with the United States.

President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the terms of the recently announced U.S.-Iran ceasefire on Thursday, saying Tehran was failing to allow oil shipments to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump said he was “optimistic” about a deal with Iran but later threatened Tehran over charging fees in the Strait of Hormuz, as Israeli strikes in Lebanon and the continued closure of the vital waterway jeopardized diplomatic talks.

The president says he will order large-scale attacks on the country if it doesn't comply, while Iran insists the U.S. and Israel are violating the terms of the ceasefire.

Jessica Tarlov noted Israeli strikes have continued against Lebanon and made a fascinating prediction about U.S. sanctions on Iran.

President Donald Trump told NBC News on Thursday that he was “very optimistic” a peace deal with Iran was within reach.