Arab News, citing Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is prepared to negotiate with the United States. Yedioth said the claim was based on a conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. intermediary Steve Witkoff that had been approved at the highest levels in Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, however, dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertions that talks with Tehran were underway, saying Iran had held no negotiations with Washington during the 24 days since the unprovoked U.S.-Israel war against the Islamic Republic began.
The development follows Trump’s statement that the Strait of Hormuz would be “open very soon” amid the conflict and his suggestion that control of the vital shipping route might be managed jointly by the U.S. and Iran.
Live updates
– Israeli strikes near Beirut kill 2, hit targets in southern Lebanon
March 24, 2026 1:07 pm
Dubai: An Israeli strike early Tuesday on a residential apartment building in Bchamoun, about 10 km southeast of Beirut, killed at least two people and wounded five, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported. The strike hit an area outside Beirut’s southern suburbs, where evacuation notices had been issued. (AP)
– Israel issues sixth missile warning on Tuesday
March 24, 2026 1:07 pm
Dubai: Israel issued another missile warning for possible Iranian fire—the sixth since midnight Tuesday. (AP)
– Iran must “think wisely” over Trump’s comments about talks
March 24, 2026 1:05 pm
Dubai: A member of Iran’s Parliament warned the country should “think wisely” about U.S. President Trump’s claim that talks with Tehran were ongoing. (AP)
– South Korea to increase nuclear, coal power generation
March 24, 2026 1:04 pm
Dubai: South Korea said it will expand operations at nuclear and coal-fired power plants to cut natural gas use. Of 26 nuclear reactors, 15 are operating; five of 11 reactors now under maintenance may be back online by May. Emissions-related restrictions on coal plants will be eased temporarily to boost output on clear days, the climate and energy minister said. (AP)
– Iran foreign minister holds talks
March 24, 2026 1:04 pm
Dubai: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been speaking with counterparts in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey and Turkmenistan since Monday, his office confirmed. (AP)
– Dollar stands tall as markets turn cautious on Middle East war
March 24, 2026 11:27 am
Hong Kong: The dollar firmed as investor sentiment grew cautious amid the ongoing war in the Middle East and skepticism over a quick resolution, despite Trump delaying strikes on Iran’s power grid. (Reuters)
– Iran sceptical of Trump’s motives in deadline extension
March 24, 2026 11:23 am
Dubai: Trump initially set a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power plants, then gave Tehran five more days. Iran allowed a few ships through the strait but continued to target vessels linked to the U.S., Israel or allies. Tehran is wary because it had been negotiating with the U.S. before the surprise attack that began the war; it had also held talks last year when the U.S. and Israel struck its nuclear facilities, triggering a 12-day conflict. Analysts suggest the delay could coincide with the arrival of thousands of U.S. Marines, fueling speculation about a possible seizure of Kharg Island—vital to Iran’s oil infrastructure—which the U.S. had already bombed, damaging defenses but reportedly leaving oil facilities intact. Iran warned it might mine the Persian Gulf if an amphibious assault seemed imminent, imperiling shipping. Observers say the pause could be a cover while forces move into place, though Trump might also be seeking an “offramp.” Trump says he has no current plans to send ground troops into Iran but has not ruled out the option; Israel has suggested its ground forces might participate. (AP)
– Iran hits Israel and Gulf neighbours
March 24, 2026 11:21 am
Dubai: Iran launched three waves of missiles at Israel early Tuesday, with reports of impacts in northern Israel, the Israeli Home Front Command said. (AP)
– US to continue Iran strikes; pause applies only to energy sites, Semafor reports
March 24, 2026 10:37 am
Bengaluru: Semafor, citing a U.S. official, reported that the U.S. will keep striking Iran but has paused attacks only on Tehran’s energy infrastructure during what Trump called “productive” talks with unidentified Iranian interlocutors. The official said strikes on military sites, naval forces, ballistic missiles and the defense industrial base would continue as part of Operation Epic Fury. (Reuters)
– Shares jittery, oil rebounds as fragile relief rally sours
March 24, 2026 10:18 am
Singapore: Stocks were volatile and oil prices rose after Trump’s postponement of bombing Iran’s power grid failed to assuage investors worried about the war’s global ramifications. U.S. Treasury yields climbed and the dollar recovered as markets reassessed the earlier relief rally following Trump’s five-day extension for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran denied engaging in talks with the U.S., leaving uncertainty amid energy shock concerns. (Reuters)
– Airlines cancel more flights as Middle East conflict escalates
March 24, 2026 10:15 am
Global: Major Middle Eastern hubs, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, remain closed because of the war, stranding tens of thousands of passengers and forcing more airlines to cancel flights. (Reuters)
– Australia, EU seal long-awaited trade deal amid global tensions
March 24, 2026 8:34 am
Sydney: Australia and the European Union signed an agreement removing tariffs on almost all European goods and most Australian critical mineral exports, eight years in the making. The deal also includes security and defence cooperation. EU exports to Australia are expected to rise significantly over the next decade. (Reuters)
– Trump’s claim of US, Iran talking elicits market cheers, scepticism
March 24, 2026 8:28 am
Washington: Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. may be winding down operations after “productive” talks with Iran prompted some market optimism, but Iranian officials dismissed the claim as a possible ploy to buy time amid escalating global economic pain from the conflict. (AP)
– Israeli jets pound Beirut’s southern suburbs
March 24, 2026 8:08 am
Dubai: Israeli forces conducted overnight strikes on multiple neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs, targeting what they called Hezbollah infrastructure; no immediate injuries were reported. Low-flying jets were heard over the city. (AP)
– Impact reported in northern Israel after missile warning
March 24, 2026 8:08 am
Dubai: Search-and-rescue teams operated in northern Israel after reports of an impact following warnings that missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israel. Authorities urged the public to avoid gathering in the area. (AP)
