As the US and Iran prepare for talks to begin on Saturday, traffic through the world's most critical chokepoint for global energy flows is still thin.

The reopening of the Strait, which carries about a fifth of the world's oil consumption, is an important component of the US-Iran ceasefire deal.

Even after a cease-fire, Iran is keeping a chokehold on traffic, forcing countries to cut deals that could put them at odds with the U.S.

Confusion and disagreements are arising over the Hormuz strait and if Lebanon was part of the ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, the US and Iran are preparing for peace talks in Islamabad this weekend as the clock ticks down on the two-week pause.

President Donald Trump said the U.S. military would remain around Iran until a real agreement is reached and fully complied with.

April 9 (Reuters) - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has briefed some capitals that U.S. President Donald Trump wants concrete commitments within the next few days for help securing the Strait of Hormuz,

Iran, the United States, and Israel have reached a deal for a two-week ceasefire. Tehran says it will negotiate with the U.S. in Islamabad starting Friday. Trump initially said Iran proposed

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz that had been repeatedly watered down in hopes those two countries would abstain.