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In this latest round of Israel-Hezbollah fighting, Lebanese civilians have once again paid a heavy price. Even as the ceasefire in Lebanon is extended, neither combatant is showing signs of backing down.

In the absence of renewed talks, the U.S. and Iran are wrangling over the Strait of Hormuz. But the main dispute between the two is still Iran鈥檚 nuclear program.聽Here鈥檚 a look at the 2015 JCPOA.

President Donald Trump鈥檚 desire to end the war quickly and reach a deal he can sell as a win has given Tehran leverage. Amid an impasse over dueling blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, efforts to return to the negotiating table remained on hold.

As civilians displaced by the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon try to return to their war-damaged homes, a new Israeli occupation zone in the country鈥檚 south poses an obstacle for many. Meanwhile, the ceasefire has reduced but not eliminated the fighting.

After the U.S.-Israeli war鈥檚 鈥渄ecapitation鈥� strikes against top Islamic Republic political and military leaders, who is this new generation that has taken the reins in Iran? They are more hard-line than their predecessors, and less willing to compromise.

The ceasefire in Lebanon left northern Israeli residents saying they felt betrayed, and that Hezbollah was still a threat. Opposition leaders blamed the Netanyahu government for the lack of a clear strategy that meant decisions were taken out of Israel鈥檚 hands.

For decades, perceptions of U.S. power did not rely on the use of America鈥檚 unrivaled military might. In the Iran war, a militarily inferior adversary used asymmetric warfare to resist that might, and America鈥檚 allies are voicing concern over the state of U.S. strategic thinking and planning.

Washington and Tehran are testing the boundaries of international laws that have managed the seas remarkably well, protecting freedom of navigation and facilitating a global economy.

America鈥檚 military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has choked off shipping 鈥� a move to force Iran to negotiate. The strategy could escalate tensions.

Iran鈥檚 missile attacks and its closing of the Strait of Hormuz have cost the oil-producing Gulf Arab states untold billions. In response, they are moving to arm themselves against a military threat that hasn鈥檛 been erased, and construct workarounds to the Hormuz choke point.

Even before the Iran war, launched against Gulf Arabs鈥� advice, sentiment in the region toward Israel was souring over its Palestinian policies. But distrust has deepened over Israel鈥檚 conduct of the war, and amid concerns over Israel鈥檚 expanding power.

US-Iran talks failed over the weekend, with Tehran鈥檚 nuclear program a key obstacle. President Trump has ordered a Navy blockade to press Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

In Israel, support for the war against Iran has been high. Civilians readily made sacrifices to support strategic aims. But the ceasefire has left many feeling the job was unfinished, and assessments of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu鈥檚 leadership have been harsh.

Pakistan is set to mediate talks between the United States and Iran. But across the Middle East, there is little optimism about what comes next, even if a U.S.-Iran deal comes together.

As he leads the U.S. delegation in Pakistan to try to reach a peace agreement with Iran, Vice President JD Vance鈥檚 longtime anti-interventionist stance could help build trust. But Mr. Vance also could end up taking the blame if talks fall apart.