US president says move comes following ‘productive conversations’, but Iran says he is trying to ‘buy time’

Trump’s announcement sent the price of oil moving downward as the stock market surged and recovered some of its losses since the war began.

President Trump hinted on 23 March that recent talks between Iran and the US have been very productive, aiming for a comprehensive resolution of Middle Eastern hostilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is considering ‘winding down’ the Middle East military operation, but his statement seemed at odds with his administration’s move to send more troops and warships to the region.

US President Donald Trump has described the assistance Ukraine is providing to countries in the Middle East as political PR by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Dear citizens of Israel — we are at the midway point, but the direction is clear,” Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said. “In about a week, on Passover, the Festival of Freedom, we will continue to fight for our freedom and our future.”

By Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart and Jana Choukeir WASHINGTON/DUBAI, March 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. military is deploying thousands more Marines to the Middle East, officials told Reuters on Friday, as President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to send forces to help open the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s new supreme leader issued another purported statement without video or audio, oil prices remain volatile, and thousands more US Marines are deploying to the Middle East. Follow for live news updates.