Israel launched strikes across Iran on Thursday, hours after US President Donald Trump said Tehran wanted a deal to end the nearly four-week war despite its top diplomat rejecting any talks with Washington.
The conflict has mushroomed to draw in nations around the Middle East, sending energy markets into a tailspin and threatening to torpedo the global economy.
YAOUNDE, March 26 (Reuters) - Trade ministers will meet in Cameroon on Thursday for crucial discussions on reforming the World Trade Organization, as some diplomats and trade officials warn that without an agreement, countries may set trade rules outside the organisation.
The four-day gathering in Yaounde comes amid concerns over the impact of the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran on global trade, following a year of tariff turmoil triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's weaponization of trade measures.
By Parisa Hafezi, Alexander Cornwell and Kanishka Singh
DUBAI/TEL AVIV/WASHINGTON, March 26 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was desperateto make a deal to end nearly fourweeks of fighting, contradicting the Iranian foreign minister who said his country was reviewing a U.S. proposal but hadno intention of holding talks to wind down the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said while there had been no dialogue or negotiation with the U.S., various messages had been exchanged through intermediaries.
VAUX-DE-CERNAY, France, March 26 (Reuters) - Foreign ministers from the world's leading Western democracies meet in France this week against the backdrop of wars in Iranand Ukraine, economic uncertainty, and mounting unease over an increasingly unpredictable U.S. foreign policy.
The two-day gathering at the restored 12th-century Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay, about 40 km (25 miles) southwest of Paris, brings together ministers from the G7 – Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the U.S. – alongside the European Union.
With the war in Iran leading to a near-total internet blackout in the country, activists around the world -- especially in the United States -- are mobilizing to help Iranians stay connected via Starlink.
Despite being banned, billionaire Elon Musk's satellite internet system has gained ground in Iran thanks to a network of international activists, multiple people involved in these efforts told AFP.
By Samia Nakhoul, Laila Bassam and Maya Gebeily
BEIRUT, March 25 (Reuters) - Iran has told intermediaries that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement with the United States and Israel, six regional sources familiar with Iran's position said, linking an end of the war to a halt to Israel's offensive against Hezbollah.
Iran's Press TV on Wednesday cited an Iranian official saying Tehran wanted any deal with the United States to secure an end to the war both on Iran and other "resistance groups" in the region.
WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would visit China for a rescheduled state visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 14 and 15, rescheduling a closely watched trip that was delayed due to the ongoing Iran war.
Trumpadded that he would host Xi for a reciprocal visit in Washington later this year.
"Our Representatives are finalizing preparations for these Historic Visits," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "I look very much forward to spending time with President Xi in what will be, I am sure, a Monumental Event."
By Nandita Bose and Humeyra Pamuk
WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump will hit Iran harder if Tehran fails to accept that the country has been "defeated militarily," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.
"President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again," Leavitt told reporters in a press briefing.
KYIV, March 25 (Reuters) - Russia sought to blackmail the United States by offering to stop sharing military intelligence with Iran if, in return, Washington would cut off Ukraine from its intelligence data, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday.
Zelenskiy, who said on Monday that Ukraine's military intelligence has "irrefutable" evidence that Russia is continuing to provide intelligence to Iran, told Reuters he had seen the data but provided no further details.
By Nandita Bose and Bo Erickson
WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday said the United States is tracking "very closely" how to get oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
"As far as tankers through the Strait, it's something we're tracking very closely," Leavitt told reporters about the key shipping lane near Iran. However, the press secretary said there is no "specific timeline" on when the tankers could move freely.
