Ceasefire talks leave Middle East reshuffling unfinished.

Ceasefire talks in Pakistan involve the United States and Iran amid deep mutual distrust; reopening the Strait of Hormuz has become a central sticking point.

Ceasefire negotiations are taking place in Pakistan between delegations linked to the United States and Iran, with Pakistani intermediaries shuttling between them. The talks come after an intense period of strikes and counterstrikes that have altered regional dynamics. Both sides present very different lists of demands and there is little mutual trust to bridge those differences. A major focus of the negotiations is the status and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Key developments: - Pakistani intermediaries are mediating talks between US and Iranian delegations. - The United States and Iran enter the talks with widely divergent, publicly reported plans and low mutual trust. - Control and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is a central dispute in the negotiations. - There is disagreement over whether the ceasefire terms apply to Lebanon, while Israeli strikes there complicate the diplomatic picture. Summary: The negotiations could influence regional trade routes and political alignments, but deep distrust and continuing military activity mean the broader reshuffling across the Middle East is likely to continue. Undetermined at this time.