The Economist.

Hello, you're listening to the free edition of the World in Brief from The Economist.

As a reminder, if you subscribe to The Economist or our new podcast subscription, Economist

Podcast Plus,

you'll get access to a deeper look at the day ahead,

updated three times a day.

You'll also get access to the rest of our award-winning podcasts.

If you're already a subscriber,

visit economist.com slash the world in brief.

Or visit the Economist app to start listening.

Here's today's free edition.

This is the World In Brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

Peace talks in Islamabad stretched deep into the night,

with few details emerging of negotiations between an American delegation led by Vice President J.D. Vans,

and one led by Iran's parliamentary speaker,

Muhammad Baggar Ghalibuff.

Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that it makes no difference

to him whether a deal is reached or not. Regardless of what happens, we win, he said. We've defeated

them militarily. Two American destroyers pass through the strait of Hormuz to begin clearing

Iranian-laid mines, the Pentagon said. They were challenged by Iranian forces,

which warned them not to proceed before the American ships departed. Iran denied that any war ships

...