Pakistan intervened to halt a reported Israeli plan to target Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, preserving fragile diplomatic channels. As Tehran reviews a U.S. peace proposal, Islamabad, Turkey, and Egypt continue mediation efforts to end the escalating Middle East conflict.

Iran and the United States hardened their positions as a diplomatic push for a ceasefire in the Middle East war appeared to falter on Thursday

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Iran did not plan to negotiate with the United States and intended to keep fighting, after the White House said talks were ongoing.

Australia banned visitors from Iran on Thursday, saying war in the Middle East increased the risk they would refuse to fly home once their short-term visas expired.

Iran has dismissed out of hand a proposed US 15-point roadmap for peace. 

Israeli emergency services said at least 12 people were injured in the centre of the country on Tuesday evening following a missile launch from Iran.

The U.S. military is preparing to deploy at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the coming days

Iran has said "non-hostile vessels" can transit the Strait of Hormuz if they meet safety and security regulations in coordination with the relevant authorities, according to a statement released to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned Wednesday that the Middle East war presented a "far worse" scenario than the invasion of Iraq in 2003.