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Donald Trump's military approach against Iran has backfired, emboldening the country rather than weakening it. The 16-hour talks in Pakistan, led by JD Vance, failed to extract a quick accord, highlighting the complexity of issues between Washington and Tehran. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had sold the war to Trump as an opportunity for regime change. However, Trump's plan had no clear strategy beyond killing senior Iranian officials, which only strengthened hardliners within the regime. Trump's goal of destroying Iran's military capacity has also failed. US intelligence indicates that Iran's ability to replenish its missiles and drones remains considerable. Furthermore, Iran is causing significant damage to Gulf states. The main issue remains Iran's nuclear program. The 2015 accord, negotiated by Barack Obama, had required Iran to limit its nuclear activities, but Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018. Today, Iran has nearly 900lb of highly enriched uranium, which could be further refined into a nuclear bomb. Trump's aggressive approach has handed Iran a new weapon: the ability to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for international shipping. This move could wreak havoc on the world economy and give Iran significant revenue through tolls. The article concludes that diplomacy is the only viable solution to the conflict. Negotiation requires compromise and give-and-take, which Trump has so far resisted. The stakes are high, with the potential for genocide and massive war crimes. The door to a deal remains open, but it demands a willingness to negotiate in good faith.

Goldman Sachs's chief executive, David Solomon, has expressed heightened awareness of the capabilities of Anthropic's Mythos AI model and is collaborating closely with the tech firm following warnings about the cybersecurity risk it poses.The US bank has been closely monitoring the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, including large language models (LLMs), as part of broader efforts to protect itself from hackers.“Obviously the LLMs are making rapid progress and we’re hyper-aware of the enhanced capabilities of these new models with the help of the US government and the model publishers,” Solomon told analysts on an earnings call on Monday.Anthropic, the company behind the Claude family of AI tools, claimed last week that its latest model, Mythos, posed an unprecedented risk due to its ability to expose flaws in IT systems. The company warned that AI models have reached a level of coding capability where they can surpass all but the most skilled humans at finding and exploiting software vulnerabilities.Solomon emphasized that Goldman Sachs is working closely with Anthropic and all of its security vendors to harness frontier capabilities. “We are very focused on supplementing our cyber and infrastructure resilience. And this is part of our ongoing capabilities that we have been investing in, and are accelerating our investment in.”The news comes after the US Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, summoned Solomon and other big American bankers to Washington to discuss the Mythos model last week. The meeting focused on heads of so-called systemically important banks, where regulators believe that a major disruption to their operations, or their potential collapse, would put financial stability at risk.On Monday, the UK government’s AI Security Institute (AISI) warned that Mythos was a “step up” over previous models in terms of the cyber threat it posed. AISI said Mythos could carry out attacks that required multiple actions and discover weaknesses in IT systems without human intervention.

How shaky is the Iran‑US ceasefire? The question underscores growing concerns among analysts about the durability of the truce that has held between Tehran and Washington since the latest diplomatic outreach.While the ceasefire has prevented direct military clashes, underlying mistrust and competing strategic interests continue to cast doubt on its long‑term viability. Observers point to recent diplomatic exchanges, economic sanctions, and regional proxy activities as potential flashpoints that could reignite hostilities.Experts caution that any misstep—whether a perceived violation of the agreement or an escalation in proxy conflicts—could quickly erode the fragile peace, prompting a renewed cycle of confrontation that would affect not only the two nations but also the broader stability of the Middle East.

The report makes clear that the responsibility for the initiative rests with Tehran rather than Washington, emphasizing Iran's decisive position in the issue.

President Donald Trump declared that the U.S. Navy will commence a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz immediately after peace talks between Washington and Tehran in Pakistan ended without an agreement. In a social‑media post, Trump labeled Iran’s actions as “extortion” and warned that American warships would hunt down and interdict any ship that has paid Iran a toll to traverse the waterway, while also beginning mine‑clearing operations. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard responded that civilian vessels may still cross the strait under “specific regulations,” but any military craft attempting entry would be deemed a breach of the cease‑fire and would be “dealt with severely.” Since the February 28 war launched by the United States and Israel, Iran has effectively taken control of the strategic chokepoint, a route that carries about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Traffic has now dwindled to a trickle, sending shockwaves through the global economy and raising alarm among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Al Jazeera correspondents noted that the rhetoric from the White House has amplified “alarm bells” across the GCC, where leaders had hoped the two‑week ceasefire would evolve into a longer‑term peace framework. Oman’s foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, urged on social media that the ceasefire be extended and that all parties make “painful concessions” to avoid a return to war. Trump’s statements also included a stark threat: any Iranian forces that fire on U.S. or “peaceful” vessels would be “blown to hell.” He claimed the blockade would involve “other countries” and that the United Kingdom, along with “a couple of other nations,” were dispatching minesweeper vessels to assist – a claim the British government has not confirmed. Domestic criticism emerged quickly. Democratic Senator Mark Warner told CNN he “doesn’t see how blockading the strait will compel Iran to open it,” questioning the strategic logic behind the move. Iran denied U.S. allegations that two of its warships had recently passed through the strait for mine‑clearing, warning that any military vessel attempting such a passage would meet a “strong response.” Tehran officials have floated the idea of instituting a post‑conflict toll system for vessels using the waterway, a prospect that could further entrench Iran’s leverage over global energy flows. Analysts warn that heightened tensions in the Hormuz corridor could push oil prices higher, amplifying inflationary pressures worldwide. As the situation unfolds, mediators continue to press both sides to resume diplomatic talks and avoid a broader escalation.

Tehran – Iranian officials warned that the United States must increase pressure for any peace agreement while urging their supporters to keep the streets under control.Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the US delegation in Islamabad “failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation” during the marathon talks.US President Donald Trump announced an immediate naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and declared that US forces are “locked and loaded” to finish Iran at the “appropriate moment.”Iran hailed the delegation’s refusal to accept Washington’s core demands – ending nuclear enrichment and relinquishing control of the Strait – as a sign of defiant resolve.Judiciary chief Gholam‑Hossein Mohseni‑Ejei thanked the Islamabad team for “guarding the rights” of government supporters, including paramilitary forces that have been gathering in Tehran’s main squares for more than six weeks.State television aired an IRGC aerospace officer urging flag‑waving crowds not to worry, stating, “If the enemy does not understand, we will make them understand,” which was met with cheers demanding more missile and drone attacks.Iranian officials blamed Trump’s “excessive demands” for the talks’ failure, noting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not expect an agreement after a single day of negotiations.Hard‑line parliamentarians expressed satisfaction with the stalemate, viewing Iran as holding the upper hand. Deputy speaker Hamidreza Haji‑Babaei said only a UN Security Council resolution signalling US surrender would lift sanctions on Iran.Lawmaker Amir Hossein Sabeti of the Paydari faction thanked the negotiating team for standing by red lines and called for “resistance in the field against these evildoers.”The sudden announcement of a two‑week cease‑fire left pro‑state voices disappointed; local media reported the Iranian delegation numbered over 85 members, including state‑affiliated journalists and factional analysts.The talks confirmed that a diplomatic breakthrough was not imminent and hinted at further escalation, though not necessarily a return to full‑scale fighting.National security commission head Ebrahim Azizi dismissed Trump’s blockade threats as “excessive talk.”The IRGC warned it would meet any vessel passing the Strait of Hormuz with “full force” and rejected US claims that two warships had already transited the waterway.Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian he remains ready to facilitate a Middle‑East peace settlement.Pezeshkian, focused on domestic affairs, reaffirmed support for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and announced that schools and universities will continue online via a limited intranet.Iran’s economy continues to suffer from chronic inflation, rising unemployment and a near‑total internet shutdown, deepening public hardship.

The recent ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran have ended without a breakthrough, with Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, blaming the US for the failure of the talks held in Islamabad, Pakistan. The talks, which were the first direct engagement between the two countries at this level since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, exposed deep divisions on core issues.The US framed the lack of a breakthrough primarily around Iran's alleged refusal to meet its core demand: a firm commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. US Vice President JD Vance said Washington had made its 'red lines' clear and presented what he described as a 'final and best offer'. However, Iran downplayed expectations and blamed the US for making unreasonable demands.The main sticking points between Tehran and Washington are:Iran's nuclear programme: The US wants a clear and enforceable commitment that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons – or even the capability to do so quickly. Iran has consistently rejected accusations that it seeks to build nuclear weapons but said it is willing to negotiate limits on its nuclear activities if sanctions are removed.Strait of Hormuz: Who gets to control this strategic waterway, through which almost all of the oil and natural gas exports from the Gulf nations pass, has become a major flashpoint. Iran has floated the idea of charging transit fees to allow ships to pass through the strait, while the US is adamant the strait is reopened free of any tolls.The near shutdown of shipping through the strait has sent global energy prices soaring with many countries, especially in Asia, forced to implement unprecedented austerity measures to soften the impact of fuel shortages. Experts said the near-closure of the strait has caused the worst economic shock since the 1973 oil embargo.

Day 44 of the US‑Iran war ended without a peace deal as a marathon 21‑hour session in Islamabad collapsed, jeopardising the fragile cease‑fire that has held since the conflict began over six weeks ago.Vice President JD Vance, leading the US delegation, told reporters that the lack of an agreement was "bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States of America," before departing Pakistan.Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar pledged that Islamabad would continue to facilitate dialogue between the two longtime adversaries.In Iran, officials downplayed expectations, noting that no one anticipated a settlement in a single session. State‑run IRIB quoted ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying the talks were never expected to conclude quickly. Meanwhile, Tehran residents expressed a mix of scepticism and hope after weeks of air attacks that have left a nation of 93 million people reeling; more than 2,000 Iranians have been killed in the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict.In the United States, Vance reiterated that the delegation left with a "final and best offer" for Iran, emphasizing that Washington had communicated its position repeatedly during the talks. He cited multiple conversations with President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Central Command head Brad Cooper. Trump, however, maintained that the US had already "won" on the battlefield by eliminating Iranian leaders and key infrastructure, stating that a deal would not alter the outcome.The US military reported that two destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz ahead of planned mine‑clearing operations – a first since hostilities began – though Iran’s state media claimed the joint command denied the movement.Academic David Des Roches of the Thayer Marshall Institute told Al Jazeera that while Washington clarified its stance, it did not shift its core demand: preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.In Lebanon, Israel continued strikes, claiming to have hit a "loaded and ready‑to‑launch rocket launcher" in Jouaiya, southern Lebanon. Protests have erupted in Beirut against any direct Israel‑Lebanon negotiations. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported at least 2,020 deaths and 6,436 injuries from Israeli attacks since March 2.In Israel, Channel 12 reported that a drone launched from Lebanon triggered sirens in the Upper Galilee before being intercepted.The stalemate has kept global oil and gas prices soaring, underscoring the broader economic ripple effects of a war that shows no sign of abating.

The United States and Iran left Islamabad without a peace deal, ending the most senior diplomatic encounter between the two nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation, told reporters that Tehran "refused to accept our terms" after a marathon 21‑hour session. Vance emphasized that the United States requires a "fundamental commitment" from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons or the associated delivery systems. "We need an affirmative pledge that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon," he said. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, cautioned that no one expected a single‑session resolution. "Naturally, from the beginning, we should not have expected to reach an agreement in a single session," he told state broadcaster IRIB, adding that Tehran remains "confident that contacts with Pakistan and other regional friends will continue." Pakistan called on both parties to honor the ceasefire and pursue a durable peace. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed gratitude for the mediation efforts, stating, "We hope the two sides continue with a positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond." The stalled talks occur against the backdrop of a war that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched a campaign against Iran. The conflict has since spread across the Middle East, causing over 2,000 fatalities and extensive damage to both military and civilian infrastructure. One of the war’s most destabilizing effects has been a global energy crisis, as Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint through which roughly 20 % of the world’s oil and gas exports flow. The delegations, led by Vance for the United States and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, also discussed how to sustain a ceasefire that is already under strain from deep disagreements and Israel’s ongoing attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.