Iran's Foreign Minister is expected to arrive in Pakistan by Friday night for diplomatic talks, according to Pakistani officials who spoke to The Associated Press. The visit comes amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf region.

The United States has maintained a blockade on Iranian oil shipments, with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth describing the action as "going global." Despite the US blockade, Iran continues to load oil onto tankers even as the US blocks their exit routes from the Gulf.

Hegseth has criticized European and Asian nations for what he termed "freeriding" on US actions in the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting allied nations are not contributing adequately to maritime security efforts in the region.

The situation has left seafarers stranded in the Gulf due to the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, reports of potential US-Iran talks have emerged from Pakistani officials, contributing to market movements including a decline in oil prices and rises in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices.

The diplomatic developments occur as President Trump has publicly discussed the Iran blockade, coinciding with an extended truce between Israel and Lebanon. More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to protect Iranian nationals currently living in the United States who cannot safely return to Iran.