Tensions rise over the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump insists the waterway will “open automatically,” even as Iran signals tighter control and new rules governing transit. Conflicting narratives from Washington and Tehran highlight the growing standoff ahead of high-stakes talks in Pakistan. With Iran asserting leverage over global oil flows and the U.S. rejecting proposed toll mechanisms, questions mount over whether diplomacy can break the deadlock—or if the crisis will escalate further.