President Donald Trump said U.S. negotiators will travel to Pakistan for another round of talks with Iran as Washington seeks to extend a fragile ceasefire that expires Wednesday. Vice President JD Vance will lead the delegation with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf signaled diplomacy would continue amid a wide gap on key issues. Separately, Trump said the U.S. forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz after a Navy destroyer blew a hole in the ship’s engine room. The incident marked the first such interception since the blockade of Iranian ports began last week, raising pressure on ongoing negotiations and drawing renewed questions about the administration’s stated timetable. The evolving situation keeps global shipping and energy markets on edge, with Iran and the U.S. continuing to trade accusations over whether the Strait is open and what would trigger any change to the blockade. For higher education researchers and centers studying international security, the near-term risk calculus around maritime chokepoints remains a key variable shaping fieldwork access and research planning.