Franco Ordonez

This would represent a shift in Iran's position, as leaders previously vowed that they would not attend the talks with the Americans until the U.S.

blockade is lifted.

Levitt said the White House will be ready to send Vice President J.D.

Vance to Pakistan if necessary.

Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.

The Trump administration has tried everything to reopen the strait, including right now its own blockade, preventing Iranian-tied ships from entering or leaving.

Vice President Vance was, of course, scheduled to travel to Pakistan yesterday for peace talks.

Those are off now because the Iranians refused to meet, calling that U.S.

blockade an act of war.

So Iran's nuclear capabilities, they're clearly an issue.

But before the war, there was free passage through the Strait, and that's no longer the case, and it's really, really a big concern around the world.

The president said he extended the ceasefire at the request of the Pakistanis who are mediating the talks.

The Iranians so far have dismissed the extension, saying it means nothing.

Now, Trump has mentioned so many different objectives for this war, regime change, helping protesters, preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb.

But the current priority is about control of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has maintained a steel grip on over the last several weeks.

The Trump administration has tried everything to reopen the strait, including aggressive threats, to now launching its own blockade of Iranian ports, preventing ships from entering or leaving.

Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.

The president said he extended the ceasefire at the request of the Pakistanis, who are mediating the talks.

The Iranians so far have dismissed the extension, saying it means nothing.

Now, Trump has mentioned so many different objectives for this war, regime change, helping protesters, preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb.