Dan Williams

This American blockade would apply to ships that call in Iranian ports.

Other ships would not be stopped, presumably.

Also, ships carrying aid, humanitarian goods, would be allowed through after inspections, it would appear.

It's not a full closure.

It is indeed imposing U.S.

military control, U.S.

military might over that waterway.

The question is, will the Iranians rise to this challenge by perhaps trying to run that blockade or encouraging ships that they deal with to run that blockade, which could actually draw American fire?

Everything flows from that.

If you'll pardon the metaphor, that is really where the U.S.

and much of the West and much of the world is.

is watching to see whether energy traffic is freed up.

And if that is successfully freed up, perhaps as a result of the talks tomorrow, we may see other elements of the deal coming together very quickly.

There has been some consternation and recrimination

Over Israel's continued offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, especially a series of bolt out of the blue strikes on Wednesday that caused a large casualty toll, including civilians.

Israel says it targeted hidden Hezbollah fighters.

a very consequential meeting tomorrow hosted by Pakistan.

For now, the precursor arrangement appears to be holding in terms of an official end to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

There's an open question, however, over Lebanon, where Israel has continued its offensive.

Iran says Lebanon should be included in the ceasefire.