Oil prices on course for record monthly rise amid risk of further escalation and mixed messaging from USDonald Trump has threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power stations and fresh water plants if Tehran does not agree to peace terms “shortly”, even as he claimed diplomatic progress in ending the war that was instigated by the US and Israel.Tehran has remained defiant during the month-long conflict, describing US peace proposals as “excessive, unrealistic and irrational” and firing waves of missiles at Israel. Continue reading...
Iran’s foreign minister has said Tehran has ‘no intention of negotiating for now’. Plus, the AI users whose lives were wrecked by delusionGood morning.Iran dismissed a US ceasefire proposal on Wednesday and responded with its own negotiation plan as intermediaries sought to keep diplomatic channels between the warring countries open.What is the toll? The US-Israel war on Iran has killed more than 1,000 people in Lebanon, more than 1,500 in Iran and 16 in Israel, according to each country’s authorities. More than a dozen deaths have been reported in the West Bank and Gulf Arab states. Experts warn there has been a collapse in healthcare access.This is a developing story. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.What did the Los Angeles plaintiff allege? The 20-year-old woman testified that she became addicted to YouTube at age six and Instagram at nine, which she said harmed her wellbeing. She blamed the platforms for her experience of body dysmorphic disorder and social phobia in her adolescence.How much will the companies pay the plaintiff? The jury awarded the plaintiff in the case damages of $6m, with Meta to pay 70% and YouTube the remainder. Continue reading...
Pakistani intermediaries deliver 15-point plan but some proposals proved intractable in previous negotiationsIranian officials expressed initial disapproval of a US ceasefire plan on Wednesday, even as intermediaries suggested direct talks between the two could start as early as this weekend.Representatives from Pakistan who reportedly delivered the US plan to Iran told the Associated Press that it was a 15-point proposal that would include sanctions relief for Iran, dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme, restricting its use of missiles and reopening the strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about 20% of the world’s oil. Continue reading...
• The Trump administration submitted a 15-point ceasefire proposal to Iran on March 25, with details including dismantling of Iranian nuclear capabilities and Iran's commitment never to pursue nuclear weapons, according to Israeli media reports.
• President Trump stated the US is in contact with "the right" Iranian interlocutors and that Iran wants to make a deal "so badly," while approximately 290 US service members have been wounded since Operation Epic Fury began against Iran.
• The diplomatic initiative has sparked market optimism, with oil prices falling more than 3% and Asian shares gaining on de-escalation hopes, though Iran's military dismissed Washington as not being in a position to negotiate.
• Iran's military dismissed US diplomatic overtures and launched intensified attacks on Israel and Gulf targets on March 25, with one Iranian drone striking Kuwait International Airport and igniting a fuel tank fire, while multiple drones were also intercepted in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
• Iran maintained its control over the Strait of Hormuz and allowed safe passage only to vessels not involved in "aggression," while continuing daily missile and drone attacks against Israel that Israeli forces said they intercepted with missile defense systems.
• Despite the military escalation, Iranian officials remained concerned about Israeli airstrikes that have reportedly killed senior Iranian officials, and Pakistan offered to mediate between the US and Iran as international parties sought de-escalation.
New online accounts on Polymarket platform betting a total of $70,000 suggest ‘some degree of inside info’Several accounts on the online platform Polymarket laid bets on a US-Iran ceasefire over the weekend that appeared to show signs of insider knowledge, according to experts.Eight accounts, all newly created around 21 March, bet a total of nearly $70,000 (£52,000) on there being a ceasefire. They stand to make nearly $820,000 if a such a deal is reached before 31 March. Continue reading...
• In a Saturday phone call with NBC journalist Kristen Welker, President Trump claimed Iran sought a ceasefire, but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arashi immediately contradicted the assertion, stating Iran has never requested negotiations or a truce.
• US and Israeli forces have intensified bombardment of Iranian cities including Tehran, Hamadan, and Isfahan, with Trump warning of additional strikes; 12 US service members have been killed since the war began February 28.
• Reuters reports Trump has ignored attempts by Middle Eastern allies to broker negotiations ending the conflict, while the US State Department warned American citizens to leave Iraq immediately amid ongoing military operations.
• The Israeli Defense Forces' 91st "Galilee" Division conducted raids in eastern southern Lebanon, killing several Hezbollah operatives as Israel prepares for potential ceasefire negotiations and discussions on Hezbollah's disarmament.
• Military operations are designed to reduce missile and drone fire toward Israel and continue systematic destruction of the Iranian regime's ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle infrastructure.
• The raids occur amid parallel diplomatic preparations for Lebanon ceasefire talks, signaling Israel's dual-track military and negotiation strategy in the broader regional conflict.
Israel conducted air raids and sent ground troops into Lebanese border areas, breaching the 2024 ceasefire, in response to Hezbollah missile launches. Strikes targeted areas after the killing of Iranian leaders in prior US-Israeli actions. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, retaliated with missiles at Israel amid the broader regional war. The intensified conflict shows no signs of abating, with US Central Command confirming related operations.
