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France 24
France 24
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FRANCE 24

Middle East war live: Trump says willing to wait ‘a few days’ for right answer on Iran peace deal

US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One in Connecticut, in Maryland, May 20, 2026.
US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One in Connecticut, in Maryland, May 20, 2026 © Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters

Asian stocks surge on Iran hopes

Shares surged in Tokyo, Seoul and other Asian markets Thursday, fuelled by hopes of a Middle East peace accord.

Japan's Nikkei index jumped more than 3.5 percent after Iran said it was examining a new US proposal to end the Middle East war.

President Donald Trump described on Wednesday the talks as being on the "borderline" between a deal and renewed attacks.

Cautious hopes rippled quickly through financial markets. Oil fell more than five percent Wednesday, while US stocks rose.

Iran foreign ministry spokesperson says “We have received US views and are reviewing them”

The ⁠Iranian ​state-run agency ​Nour News quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson ​Esmaeil ‌Baghaei ⁠as saying "We ‌have received US Views ⁠and are reviewing them" Pakistan ​continued to ‌mediate exchanges of messages ‌between Tehran and ​Washington, adding that several rounds of communication ​had ​taken place ​based on Iran’s ​original 14-point framework, he added.

Iran says 26 vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours

Iran's proposal to US calls for sanctions lifting and funds release, deputy foreign minister says

Iran warns of war ‘beyond the region’ if US resumes attacks

Yesterday's key developments:

  • Iran said on Wednesday it was examining a new US proposal to end the Middle East war, as President Donald Trump described the talks as being on the "borderline" between a deal and renewed strikes.
  • The US military said Wednesday that it boarded an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of trying to violate the American blockade.
  • The US ambassador to Israel sharply criticised far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Wednesday, after he posted a video showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)

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