JD Vance arrives in Pakistan for Iran peace talks as global gas prices spark chaos

Vice President JD Vance has touched down in Pakistan for critical peace negotiations with Iran as the cost of the US-Iran war reverberates globally. On Friday, Vance warned Iran against trying to "play" the US before heading out for the pivotal discussions.Iran's delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, landed in Islamabad early Saturday. Qalibaf signaled on X that discussions would only move forward if Israel enacts a ceasefire in Lebanon and unfreezes Iranian assets.The conflict with Iran and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven oil and gas prices to spike around the world. Prior to the negotiations, Donald Trump established a firm boundary regarding nuclear weapons and vowed that the vital Strait of Hormuz will be reopened.When journalists questioned President Trump about what represents a positive outcome for the White House before these pivotal talks, he answered: "No nuclear weapons, number one. You know, I think it's already been regime change, but we never had that as a criteria. No nuclear weapon. That's 99 per cent of it.", Trump also declared that the Strait of Hormuz, whose obstruction has triggered gas prices to soar internationally, will be reopened.He explained: "But the straight will open up. If we just left, the Strait's going to. Otherwise they make no money. So, the Strait's going to open. But what we have is no nuclear weapon. But we'll open the Strait anyway."He added: "We will have that open fairly soon." Earlier, President Donald Trump extended his support to Vance, stating: "We'll find out what's going on. They're militarily defeated."Trump has designated a member of his inner circle, who has emerged as among the most reluctant advocates of the 6-week-old Iranian conflict, to pursue a settlement and avert the U.S. president's dramatic warning to annihilate its "whole civilization."Vance has traditionally questioned overseas military engagements and raised doubts about committing troops to open-ended conflicts."If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand," Vance told reporters before boarding Air Force Two for the Pakistan talks. Nevertheless, he warned, "If they're gonna try and play us, then they're gonna find that the negotiating team is not that receptive." Shortly after the White House and Iran announced a provisional ceasefire Tuesday evening, both sides found themselves at odds over the terms of the arrangement. Iran insisted that ending the Israeli military operations in Lebanon was essential to the ceasefire. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump explained that the truce didn't include Lebanon, and Israeli operations there continued.