American envoys departed Saturday for the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, in an effort to open a new round of peace negotiations with Iran amid a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon. However, the prospect of direct talks remains unclear. The White House announced that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would engage in a "face-to-face conversation" with Iranian representatives. But Iranian state media reported that there are no plans for direct negotiations, viewing Pakistan as a bridge for conveying proposals. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday for meetings with Pakistani officials and is expected to visit Oman and Russia afterward. Meanwhile, the ceasefire declared by President Donald Trump for Lebanon was accompanied by tensions, as Israeli strikes in the south of the country resulted in six casualties. Trump expressed confidence in a lasting peace, but achieving a comprehensive agreement in the Middle East is seen as a major challenge. A key issue remains the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel for global trade in oil and liquefied natural gas. Iran has imposed strict restrictions on ship passage, causing turmoil in energy markets. The European Union has described the opening of the strait as "vital for the world." Amid this climate of tension, the United States has increased its military presence in the region with the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush. Meanwhile, financial markets reacted positively to hopes for the resumption of talks, with the Wall Street index closing at record levels. On the ground, the situation remains dire. In southern Lebanon, residents search through rubble for memories of family members lost in Israeli bombings, demonstrating that true peace is still far away.