Differences over Iran's nuclear program were the main roadblock during peace talks in Islamabad this weekend, Axios' Barak Ravid reports.

• The U.S. and Iran disagree on the length of a proposed halt for Iran's uranium enrichment program, according to a U.S. official and a knowledgeable source.
• The U.S. proposed a 20-year stoppage. The Iranians countered with a shorter "single-digit" period.

The U.S. also asked Iran to remove all highly enriched uranium from the country.

• The Iranians said they'd instead agree to a "monitored process of down-blending" it, the sources say.

⏳ International mediators are trying to bridge the remaining gaps before the ceasefire ends next Tuesday.

• A 45–60 day extension is possible, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Anadolu news agency today.

😮 The Iranians thought they were close to an initial agreement by yesterday morning, but were surprised by Vice President Vance's press conference to the contrary.

• Vance gave no indication that a deal was close, blamed the Iranians and said the U.S. team was leaving Islamabad.

A source told us: "The Iranians were pissed off about that press conference."

⚓️ A U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz took effect this morning.

• The idea is to tighten the economic pressure on Iran, and to prevent it from having sole authority on shipping in the vital economic corridor, Axios' Emily Peck writes. (Go deeper.)
• Even if a deal gets made, de-mining Hormuz remains a critical issue.

What's next: A U.S. official tells Axios that "there is continued engagement between the U.S. and Iran and forward motion on trying to get to an agreement."

• Go deeper.

Some conservatives are furious over what they view as President Trump backing off his deport-them-all rhetoric ahead of the midterms, Axios' Brittany Gibson reports.

Mike Howell, president of the Oversight Project and leader of the Mass Deportation Coalition, tells Axios: "The truth is, the first year was not a year of mass deportation."

• "A conscious decision was made to go after the worst first, which was — we'll call it a deviation from the central campaign promise of mass deportations."

The coalition includes GOP think tanks like the Heritage Foundation, advocacy groups like the Immigration Accountability Project, and a slew of Young Republican clubs.

• 👮 The group is now pushing for at least 1 million annual deportations.

Go deeper.

1. 🦍 Fatou, the world's oldest gorilla living in captivity, celebrated her 69th birthday today with a feast, munching on cherry tomatoes, beets, leeks and lettuce at the Berlin Zoo. Go deeper.
2. 🤳 Many Christians are expressing discomfort over President Trump's since-deleted post that appeared to depict him as a Jesus-like figure. Trump, speaking to reporters this afternoon: "I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor." Go deeper.
3. 🏦 Goldman Sachs reported its best quarter in five years, fueled by dealmaking and equities trading. But its fixed income, currencies and commodities team missed expectations. Go deeper.
4. 📈 Meta is set to overtake Google as the world's top digital ad business, The Wall Street Journal reports. Ad research firm eMarketer says Meta will hit over $243.5 billion in net ad revenue this year, topping Google's $239.5 billion. Gift link.

With Artemis II safely back on Earth, NASA is turning to its next big goal: fresh bootprints on lunar soil before the end of the decade, Alex Fitzpatrick writes.

• That was once expected with Artemis III. But NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman recently changed the schedule.

🛰️ Artemis III will now involve testing one or both of SpaceX and Blue Origin's lunar landers in Earth orbit, sometime in 2027.

• Neither is ready yet, and delays are possible.

🦅 🌖 The next crewed Moon landing is now set for Artemis IV in early 2028.

Between the lines: President Trump is proposing big cuts to NASA — mostly targeting its science programs, not human spaceflight.

• See NASA's plan.