US Iran war highlights: US, Iran consider two-week ‘ceasefire extension’ to buy time for peace deal

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iranian state media reported that the commander of Iran's joint military command warned that Iran would completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf region, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the United States does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports.

"Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests," they said.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Israel hailed on Wednesday the opening of direct talks with Beirut as a "historic opportunity" that could end Hezbollah's grip on Lebanon.

"This is indeed a genuine historic opportunity to end decades of Hezbollah stranglehold over Lebanon," Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told a press briefing, while insisting there was "no ceasefire discussion" with the Iran-backed militant group.

US Iran war LIVE updates: A Pakistani delegation is on its way to Iran to convey a message from the US to Tehran and plan for a second round of talks between the two countries, Iran's state media said on Wednesday.

US Iran war LIVE updates: The internet shutdown in Iran entered its 47th day on Wednesday, with the country having been in a state of persisent digital isolation since the start of the US-Israeli war on the nation.

According to the internet watchdog NetBlocks, the near blackout of the internet in Iran “is now entering its 47th day after 1,104 hours without international connectivity for the general public.”

US Iran war LIVE updates: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hit back on Wednesday after President Donald Trump's latest attack over the UK's decision not to join the US strikes on Iran, this time threatening to review a trade deal agreed last year.

"My position on the Iran war has been clear from the start. We're not going to get dragged into this war. It is not our war," Starmer told Parliament.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iran said Wednesday that exchanges with the United States via Pakistan had continued following failed negotiations over the weekend.

"Since Sunday, when the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran, several messages have been exchanged through Pakistan," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing.

US Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that the Iran war could ‘end soon.’ "I think you're going to be watching an amazing two days ahead," Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, according to a post by the reporter on X, adding he did not think it would be necessary to extend a two-week ceasefire that expires next week.

"I think it can be over very soon. It will end soon," Trump said in a separate interview with Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" and aired on Wednesday.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Israeli strikes rocked southern Lebanon overnight and into Wednesday, a day after a first round of historic talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials in Washington.

Israel's military has periodically issued warnings telling residents of wide swathes of southern Lebanon to flee, but thousands have stayed, either because they don't want to leave their homes or because they have nowhere to go.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Oil prices rose after steep falls in the previous session as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained constrained.

Brent crude futures were up 71 cents, or 0.8%, to $95.50 a barrel, after falling 4.6% in the previous session, Reuters reported.

US Iran war LIVE updates: The United States has not formally agreed to the extension of its ceasefire with Iran, a senior official said on Wednesday.

"There is continued engagement between the U.S. and Iran to reach a deal," a senior US official told Reuters.

US Iran war LIVE updates: President Donald Trump on Wednesday told Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" program that the United States could take out every one of Iran's bridges and power plants in one hour.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iran's foreign ministry said Wednesday that Tehran's right to enrich uranium was "indisputable" although the level of enrichment is "negotiable".

In a weekly press briefing, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy could not be "taken away under pressure or through war".

US Iran war LIVE updates: President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that China has agreed not to provide weapons to Iran as reports circulate that Beijing has considered transferring arms.

Trump wrote in a social media post that China is "very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz." He added: "They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran." He seemed to suggest the two are linked.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iran said Wednesday that exchanges with the United States via Pakistan had continued following failed negotiations over the weekend.

"Since Sunday, when the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran, several messages have been exchanged through Pakistan," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing. "Today, we are very likely to receive a Pakistani delegation as a continuation of the discussions in Islamabad," he added.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iran foreign minister on Wednesday said that it is highly probable that Iran will hold a Pakistani delegation on Wednesday in continuation of Pakistan talks, state media reported.

US Iran war LIVE updates: US Iran war LIVE updates: Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping in a letter not to give Iran weapons, and Xi responded that China was not supplying Tehran, the US president told Fox Business Network in an interview that aired on Wednesday.

"I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that, essentially, he's not doing that," Trump told FBN's "Mornings with Maria" program.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iran's military warned on Wednesday it would block trade through the Red Sea, along with the Gulf and Sea of Oman, if the US naval blockade continues.

In a statement carried by Iranian state television, the head of Iran's military central command centre said if the US continues with its blockade and "creates insecurity for Iran's commercial vessels and oil tankers", it will constitute "a prelude" to violating the ceasefire.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, pushed back on Pope Leo XIV’s criticism of the war on Iran, saying the pontiff’s remarks were not based in theological truth and that he should be “careful” with his words on the matter.

Vance on Tuesday said he admired the pope and did not mind Leo weighing in on current events, but took issue with his stance on the Middle East conflict.

US Iran war LIVE updates: President Donald Trump said talks with Iran to end the war could soon resume and end in a deal, telling the world to watch out for an "amazing two days", while US forces imposing a blockade turned back vessels leaving Iranian ports.

"I think you're going to be watching an amazing two days ahead," Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, adding he did not think it would be necessary to extend a two-week ceasefire that ends on April 21.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara was working to extend a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, ease tensions, and ensure the continuation of talks, and added Turkey was hopeful of negotiations despite issues.

Speaking to lawmakers in parliament, Erdogan said Israel's attacks on Lebanon were harming hopes for peace, and added the window of opportunity created by the ceasefire must be seized. He said difficult issues between the sides could be resolved if they focused on the benefits of peace.

US Iran war LIVE updates: An Iranian supertanker reportedly crossed the Strait of Hormuz towards Iran's Imam Khomeini Port despite a US blockade, Iran's Fars News Agency said on Wednesday.

Fars said the Very Large Crude Carrier was capable of carrying two million barrels of crude, but it was not clear if the tanker was returning with its cargo onboard or was empty.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday strongly hit back at what he described as external pressure and military aggression against Iran, asserting that any attempt to impose force on the Islamic Republic would ultimately fail amid a fragile ceasefire and diplomatic engagements to secure a complete halt to hostilities in West Asia.

According to Iranian state media ISNA, Pezeshkian emphasised that Iran remains committed to constructive dialogue. "Any attempt to impose will or force Iran to surrender is doomed to failure, and the people will never accept such an approach. Iran is not seeking war," he was quoted as saying.

US Iran war LIVE updates: The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that 'very detailed' measures to verify Iran’s nuclear activities must be included in a potential U.S.-Iran agreement to end their war in the Middle East.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi stressed the need for the thorough verification regime for Iran’s nuclear program, as U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a second round of talks with Iran could happen over the next two days.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Conflict in the Middle East could yet trigger the kind of turmoil that markets have so far avoided, the International Monetary Fund warned, adding its voice to a rising chorus of concern about the financial stability impact of the war.

In a blog accompanying its semi-annual dispatch on the risks facing the world’s financial system, the IMF said that while markets had shown a “degree of resilience” since the conflict began in February, but this “should not be taken at face value.”

US Iran war LIVE updates: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set off on a four-day diplomatic blitz to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey on Wednesday, his office said.

"Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake official visits to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye from 15-18 April 2026. The meet will discuss regional security and the US Iran peace talks