War in the Middle East: latest developments

Oil prices had a mixed day, with Brent oil futures edging higher to again finish above $100 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate dropped 1.5 percent to $94.40 a barrel.

Major Wall Street indices closed at fresh records as US and Iranian officials headed to Pakistan for expected peace talks.

- US freezes $344 mn in cryptocurrency -

The United States has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency assets over ties to Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says, as Washington seeks to raise pressure on Tehran amid energy supply disruptions due to the war.

- Iran top diplomat arrives in Islamabad -

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan's foreign ministry says, ahead of planned Iran-US peace negotiations.

Araghchi "will hold meetings with Pakistan's senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments as well as ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability", Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, without referencing talks with Washington emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

- Israel kills six -

The Israeli military said it had killed six Hezbollah fighters in a southern Lebanese town "during an exchange of fire... between the terrorists and the soldiers".

- Netanyahu 'sabotage' claim -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of trying to "sabotage" efforts to reach a "historic" peace deal with Lebanon. 

- Hormuz 'must reopen' -

The Strait of Hormuz must reopen immediately "without restrictions and without tolling", European Council President Antonio Costa said after talks with leaders from Lebanon and Syria.

- Hezbollah downs drone -

The Israeli military confirmed a claim by Iran-backed Hezbollah that it had used a missile to shoot down an Israeli drone in south Lebanon.

- US build-up -

The US military noted that it now has three aircraft carriers in the Middle East for the first time since it waged the 2003 Iraq war.

The three battle groups comprise "over 200 aircraft and 15,000 Sailors and Marines", US Central Command said on X.

- Tehran airport to reopen -

International flights from Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport will resume on Saturday, the ISNA news agency reported, days after Iran reopened its airspace. The first flights will be to Istanbul and Muscat, the announcement said.

- 'Tight' gas markets -

The market for liquefied natural gas (LNG), which has been strained by the war, will remain "tight" through 2026 and 2027", the International Energy Agency said.

- Deaths in Lebanon -

An Israeli strike killed two people in Lebanon, in the southern area of Touline, the Lebanese health ministry reported, hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was extended by three weeks.

- UAE distrustful of Iran -

Rebuilding trust between Abu Dhabi and Tehran will take "ages and ages", UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said, after Iran targeted the United Arab Emirates during the Middle East conflict.

- Condom prices up -

Malaysia-based Karex, which supplies condoms for brands like Trojan and Durex, said it had been forced to increase prices by up to 30 percent because of supply chain disruptions stemming from the Middle East war.

- Everyone needs 'stability' -

"It is in everyone's interest for stability to return as soon as possible and for the world's economies to be reassured," French President Emmanuel Macron said as he attended an EU summit in Nicosia, where talks with Middle East leaders were also scheduled.

- Peacekeeper dies -

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, announced that an Indonesian blue helmet died in hospital of wounds suffered on March 29 in an attack on his base.

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