Israel Iran War

Airstrikes battered Iran’s capital and Iranian missiles and drones targeted Israel’s Tel Aviv and sites across the Mideast, even as President Donald Trump said the United States was in talks with the Islamic Republic to end the war. With thousands more U.S. Marines on their way to the Gulf, both sides firing intense barrages and Iran denying any negotiations are taking place, the war’s tempo remains high. A day earlier, Trump delayed his self-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The squeezing of that crucial waterway has snarled international shipping, sent fuel prices skyrocketing, and threatened the world economy. Talks between the U.S. and Iran appeared at the most tentative Tuesday. They would face monumental challenges.

Hopes rose that the Iran war could begin winding down as U.S. President Donald Trump said his government was holding productive talks with Tehran. Fighting showed no signs of slowing and Iran denied there were talks. Trump extended his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. He says the U.S. will hold off striking Iranian power plants for five more days to allow talks with a “respected” Iranian leader. Iranian officials say the American leader had backed down following its “firm warning.” Financial markets were relieved Monday as oil prices eased. Markets have had vicious swings since the war began.