Efforts underway for second round of US-Iran talks

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The standoff between the United States and Iran is deepening as the U.S. has declared it has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has threatened to strike targets across the region. Pakistan says it is racing to bring the sides together for more talks. Last week’s ceasefire appeared to hold on Tuesday. But the standoff set up an extraordinary showdown that risked reigniting hostilities. Talks aimed at permanently ending the conflict failed to produce an agreement last weekend. But Pakistani officials told The Associated Press that they had proposed a second round in the coming days.