Iran negotiations

The MSCI All-World index was up 0.13% to trade around record highs, as markets from Tokyo to Seoul traded at or near all-time peaks, underpinned by avid demand for anything AI-related.

The latest proposal sent by the United States, which was shared with the Israeli sources, reflects a tougher stance by US President Trump on both the Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear program.

A first round of peace talks in Pakistan concluded without a pact, but Reuters reported on Thursday that Tehran and Washington had reached an initial agreement to extend the ceasefire.

"We hope that the parties concerned can stay committed to pursuing a ceasefire and continue to meet each other halfway," China's Foreign Minister said.

Faisal J. Abbas, the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, noted that peace is possible with Israel but that the country “needs to embrace a two-state solution.”

According to US intelligence, Khamenei is only reachable through a "labyrinth" of couriers, causing difficulties and delays during the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran, officials said.

The Middle East has already gone through decades of conflict and crisis, but in this case, many countries seem to think that the US and Israel are driving uncertainty.

The Strait of Hormuz has been a key issue raised by both the US and Iran after each country imposed closures and blockades of the waterway.

Citing two unnamed Israeli defense officials, the NYT said that Israel is "almost entirely out of the loop" in talks between the United States and Iran.

US response to Iran proposal expected by Sunday • Iran's top negotiator Ghalibaf meets Pakistani Army Chief • No deal in sight if US insists on discussing nuclear issue, Iranian FM spokesperson says