Welcome to our live coverage of the US and Israel’s war with Iran.
Confusion reigns as to what level of talks – or if any talks at all – are occurring between the US and Iran.
On Monday, Donald Trump said “productive” talks had taken place and he would pause threatened strikes on Iran’s power supply system for five days to see if a deal to end the war could be struck.
But Iran said no such talks had occurred.
On Tuesday, US time, the White House appeared to be walk back some of Mr Trump’s comments saying just that talks were “fluid”.
But Iran is worried the talks “could be a trap” that may lead to yet more of its diminished leadership being killed.
It’s also been pointed out that Mr Trump’s five day deadline coincides with a fresh batch of US marines arriving in the Gulf. It’s been speculated these troops could be used as a ground force to take, for instance, Iran’s oil hub of Kharg Island.
After the price of oil initially dropped after the US president’s talk of a deal it has now risen once again above $US100 a barrel – a sign that markets aren’t as positive as Mr Trump on a conclusion.
Meanwhile, a nation in the Asia Pacific has declared a fuel emergency after seeing supplies dramatically slow – showing there are country’s in even worse petrol strife than Australia.
Israeli has now indicated it will attempt to invade and occupy a 30km deep strip of southern Lebanon which it is calling a “security zone”.
Read on for more updates.
