The World in Brief from The Economist

The S&P 500 dipped on Friday as investors grew cautious ahead of talks between America and Iran, but the index ended the week up 3.6%, its best performance since November

Iran said it would join talks with America in Pakistan on Saturday only if its overseas assets are unfrozen and a ceasefire holds in Lebanon.

Binyamin Netanyahu said Israel would begin talks with Lebanon to establish “peaceful relations”. Also, Mr Trump warned Iran not to charge ships for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Binyamin Netanyahu said Israel would begin talks with Lebanon.

Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, said Israel would begin talks with Lebanon, but said he would continue striking it.

The ceasefire in the Middle East teetered as Iran threatened to withdraw from the agreement. Also, the White House said J.D. Vance would lead America’s talks with Iran in Pakistan at the weekend.

The speaker of Iran’s parliament said the two-week ceasefire with America had already been breached three times, rendering further talks “unreasonable”.

Iran said the two-week ceasefire with America had already been breached three times, rendering further talks “unreasonable"; International pressure on Israel intensified over its offensive in Lebanon.

Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, subject to the Islamic Republic agreeing to the “immediate” opening of the Strait of Hormuz.