US Iran War Highlights: 'Enough is enough,' says Trump as he claims Israel barred from bombing Lebanon

The conflict in the Middle East is a major shock that poses a “serious threat to the global economy” and will hit the poorest countries the hardest, according to a statement by the Chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee.

President Donald Trump on Friday indicated that the second round of direct US-Iran talks could happen this weekend.

"The Iranians want to meet," Trump said in a brief telephone interview with the news outlet Axios.

"They want to make a deal. I think a meeting will probably take place over the weekend," he said.

Gulf countries and Jordan want the United Nations' telecoms agency to condemn Iran's attacks on their infrastructure, and to monitor and report on the damage, according to the text seen Friday.

Shipping industry figures gave a cautious welcome Friday to Iran's announcement that it was reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz trade route to commercial freight after nearly seven weeks closed, AFP reported.

All ships can sail through the Strait of Hormuz but this needs to be coordinated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a senior Iranian official told Reuters, adding that unfreezing Iranian funds was part of the deal.

“I welcome Iran’s announcements that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire. This a step in the right direction.”

“The UN position remains clear: we need the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, respected by everyone,” says Antonio Guterres

President Donald Trump said the United States has barred Israel from further bombing in Lebanon, striking an unusually harsh tone with the longtime US ally while stressing that any US deal with Iran is not linked to the Lebanon conflict.

President Donald Trump on Friday said that a deal to end war with Iran, which the US and Israel began in late February, is mostly complete, Bloomberg reported.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the US will enter Iran at a "leisurely pace" to recover its enriched uranium and bring it back

A US Navy advisory on Friday said that the threat posed by mines in parts of the Strait of Hormuz is not fully understood, and avoidance of the area by ships should be considered

US Central Command said in a social media post on Friday said that zero vessels have evaded American naval forces during the blockade of Iran-linked ships, and 19 vessels "complied with direction from US forces to turn around and return to Iran".

In a Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump on Friday again suggested that Tehran has agreed to hand over enriched uranium.

“The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear Dust,' created by our great B2 Bombers - No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form.”

A European Union spokesperson on Friday said the bloc is set to coordinate a release of jet fuel stocks if disruption to the Strait of Hormuz continues.

Lebanon's health ministry said on Friday that at least 2,294 people have been killed and 7,544 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2, adding that the toll remains non-final pending debris removal, body recovery and DNA identification.

US President Donald Trump on Friday noted that Tehran, with help of US, is working to remove all sea mines from Strait of Hormuz

The leaders of France and the U.K. have welcomed the announced reopening of the Strait of Hormuz but say it must become permanent

President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer say they will keep planning an international mission to restore maritime security, with a meeting of military planners in London next week.

Navigation through Hormuz will be in coordination with Iran and with the Revolutionary Guards' coordination, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian official

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that the strategic Strait of Hormuz, vital for the global oil trade, will remain "completely open" as long as a ceasefire in the Middle East lasts.

US Iran War LIVE: Multiple international airlines, including Air Baltic, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, among others – have either cancelled flights, or reduced their operations amid the Middle East conflict.
As a result, many people unable to fly as planned to destinations after the Iran war forced the closure of major Middle Eastern hubs, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, reported Reuters.