Control of the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical point in the direct talks underway between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, writes the Financial Times. In particular, according to international media, as discussions between the Iranian and U.S. delegations continue, the demand to reopen the Strait of Hormuz has remained a critical issue and sparked debates. As reported by the Financial Times, Iran insists on maintaining control of the waterway and the possibility of imposing taxes on ships. Iranian negotiators are dismissing options for "joint control," despite the high-level meeting held between U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance and Iran's wartime leader, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Discussions between the parties are expected to continue. At the same time, Al Jazeera reports that negotiations could last all night, as during a short break earlier, both sides saw through text messages that they could reach a point of contact. The Iranian delegation had a busy day with meetings, including with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, before the start of the negotiations. Meanwhile, journalists gathered outside the meeting venue report fatigue and a lack of concrete progress.