U.S., Iranian delegations head to Pakistan, renewing hopes for diplomatic end to war

Welcome to the NewsHour. An American delegation is headed back to Pakistan tonight to continue

talks geared toward ending the war with Iran.

One of the focal points of any discussion will be the Strait of Hormuz, where vital maritime

traffic remains largely frozen. But while Iran's foreign minister is now already in the

Pakistani capital, late today, his spokesman said there is no meeting planned with the

Americans. Stephanie Sy again begins our coverage tonight.

Tonight, fresh hope for a path forward in the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

We've certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days.

The White House confirmed today that special envoy Steve Whitkoff and President Trump's

son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will travel to Pakistan tomorrow for direct talks with Iran.

Notably absent from the team, Vice President JD Vance. He was set to go to Pakistan earlier

this week, but was suddenly pulled back to the White House, which now says he's on standby

to travel should there be substantial progress in negotiations. As the extended cease-fire holds

for a third week, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says Iran pushed for renewed talks.

The Iranians want to talk. They want to talk in person. And so the President, as I've said,

many, many times to all of you, always willing to give diplomacy a chance.

But Iran has not yet confirmed it is sending diplomats to Islamabad for direct talks with the U.S.

Foreign Minister Abbas Arachi posted to social media that he would visit Pakistan

to review current regional developments. All this, as the American blockade of the

Strait of Hormuz continues, oiling global energy markets. Even with three aircraft carriers and

more than 15,000 sailors and Marines operating in the Middle East, safety and security concerns

persist for ships stalled in the Strait. Both sides are claiming control. The two container ships

Iran's revolutionary guard boasted of seizing earlier this week are now anchored at port.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth admitted today, ships are not getting through fast enough.

We are seeing vessels transiting. There are paths that are open. So,

transit is occurring much more limited than anybody would like to see and with more risk than

people would like to see. But that's because Iran is doing irresponsible things.

As pressure ramps up to get goods shipped and prices down, the President is trying to use what

tools he can. The White House quietly announced today a 90-day extension of the Jones Act waiver,

which makes it easier for foreign vessels to transport oil and natural gas around U.S. ports.

As high oil prices stoke worries about the greater U.S. economy,

the Trump administration continues its squeeze on the Iranian economy,

announcing new economic sanctions on Iran, as well as on Chinese companies that the U.S.

accuses of transporting Iranian oil. For the PBS NewsHour, I'm Stephanie Sye.