The World in Brief from The Economist

Despite the chatter of negotiations between Iran and America, the war continued in the Middle East. Also, after Iran’s denial, oil prices duly began to rise again.

Donald Trump postponed attacks against Iran’s power plants following what he called “productive conversations” with the regime.

Donald Trump postponed attacks against Iran’s power plants following what he called “productive conversations” with the regime; Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, said Mr Trump had updated him about the possibility of a deal with Iran “that protects our vital interests” but added that Israel will continue to strike Iran and Lebanon.

Iran threatened to completely close the Strait of Hormuz and mine “all communication lines in the Persian Gulf” if Donald Trump carried through on a threat to “obliterate” the country’s power plants. Also, stocks tumbled across Asia and Europe, especially in markets exposed to rising energy.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that it would completely close the Strait of Hormuz if Donald Trump carries through on a threat to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants, if Iran does not fully open the strait.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that it would completely close the Strait of Hormuz if Donald Trump carries through on a threat to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants; Japan’s foreign minister suggested that his country’s armed forces could be sent to the Strait of Hormuz for minesweeping operations “if there were to be a complete ceasefire”.

Donald Trump said Iran had 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuz or America would launch strikes on its power plants; Dozens of people were injured in two Iranian missile attacks on southern Israel

Earlier Iran fired two ballistic missiles at Britain’s military base on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean

Meanwhile American stocks fell. The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ closed 1.5% and 2% lower respectively