Trump raises hopes for war to wind down but no sign of reduced fighting

Hopes rose that the Iran war could begin winding down as US President Donald Trump claimed that his government was holding productive talks with Tehran, but fighting showed no signs of slowing and Iran denied there were talks.

Mr Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, saying the US will hold off striking Iranian power plants for five more days to allow US envoys to hold talks with a “respected” Iranian leader.

Iranian officials said that the American leader had backed down “following Iran’s firm warning”.

Relief ripped through financial markets on Monday as oil prices eased following severe losses prior to Mr Trump’s announcement. Markets have had vicious swings, both up and down, since the war began because of uncertainty about how long it may last.

The death toll has risen to more than 1,500 people in Iran, more than 1,000 in Lebanon, 15 in Israel and 13 US military members, as well as a number of civilians on land and sea in the Gulf region. Millions of people in Lebanon and Iran have been displaced.

An Israeli strike early on Tuesday on a residential apartment in Bchamoun, around six miles southeast of Beirut, killed at least two people, according to an initial toll from the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The strike wounded five others, the ministry added.

The strike came without warning and hit an area outside Beirut’s southern suburbs, where the Israeli military had previously issued evacuation notices.

Footage circulating online showed at least one apartment in a building engulfed in flames.

Also early on Tuesday, Israeli strikes hit several areas in southern Lebanon, including a gas station belonging to the Amana company in Rashidieh, near the port city of Tyre, sending a large plume of fire into the air.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Israel has repeatedly struck Amana fuel stations since the conflict with Hezbollah reignited on March 2, accusing them of being part of the group’s “economic infrastructure” that can support its military activities.