President Donald Trump says a deal to end the Iran war is “very close,” but behind the scenes, high-stakes negotiations are still facing major hurdles. As secret US-Iran backchannel talks intensify in Islamabad, global powers are racing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a critical artery for nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply. With shipping disrupted and markets on edge, fears of a massive energy shock continue to grow.
