Closing summary
We’re wrapping up our live coverage of the Middle East crisis for the moment. You can see our latest full report here, and below is a recap of the day’s key developments. Thanks for following along.
The White House has denied reports the US has requested an extension to its ceasefire with Iran, which is set to expire next week. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the reports were “not true”, that talks were “productive and ongoing” and that the US “feels good about the prospects of a deal” with Iran.
A second round of talks would “very likely” take place in Islamabad again, Leavitt said, adding that Pakistan was “the only mediator” in these discussions.
The White House also said the US blockade of Iranian ports “has been fully implemented” and applied to ships of all nations entering or departing the ports.
Major Wall Street stock indices finished at record levels on Wednesday, extending an upward climb on optimism for an agreement to end the war.
The US announced tightened sanctions against Iran’s oil industry.
Benjamin Netanyahu is weighing a possible ceasefire in Lebanon after pressure from Washington. Following direct Israel-Lebanon talks on Tuesday, Israel’s security cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss a truce, while the Israeli military is continuing to attack the country.
The number of Lebanese rescue workers killed in consecutive Israeli strikes in the southern Lebanon village of Mayfadoun has risen to four, with six others wounded, paramedic groups said.
Finance ministers from 11 countries globally – including the UK, Japan, Sweden and Australia – called for peace in the Middle East to be upheld, warning of risks to the global economy if the fragile ceasefire collapsed.
The Middle East conflict could push millions more towards hunger as its economic fallout reverberated around the globe, the World Bank’s chief economist said.
The chair of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committee on doctrine, Bishop James Massa, defended Pope Leo after vice-president JD Vance said the pontiff should “be careful when he talks about matters of theology” in relation to the US war on Iran.
Updated
Finance ministers from around the world have jointly called for peace in the Middle East to be upheld, warning of risks to the global economy if the fragile ceasefire collapses.
A joint statement from 11 countries – including the UK, Japan, Sweden and Australia – urged the US, Israel and Iran to abide by the ceasefire struck last week.
The statement reads:
The past weeks have brought unacceptable loss of life and significant disruption to the global economy and financial markets.
The ceasefire will be crucial to protecting civilian populations and the security of the region.”
The countries – also including Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Poland and Finland – called for a swift and lasting resolution to the conflict and a return to free and safe transit through the strait of Hormuz.
The statement also warns that the impacts on growth, inflation and markets will persist beyond the end of the conflict.
Updated
