West Asia Tensions Soar: Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Amid US-Iran Talks

Islamabad: Hopes of peace in West Asia have been dashed once again. Reduced by Israel's recent attacks on Lebanon, Iran has closed the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Iran claims the US has violated ceasefire rules, threatening to disrupt global oil supplies. Amid the tensions, a thriller is unfolding at the Serena Hotel in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, where delegations from Iran and the US are reported to be meeting. Though Iran has officially denied the meeting, tight security and high-level movements outside the hotel tell a different story. On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a fresh pitch by proposing direct talks with Lebanon. Netanyahu wants Hezbollah to lay down arms and peace along the border, but Fayyaz Ali bin Laden has rejected the proposal.