Iran launched new missile strikes as Trump signalled backchannel talks, easing oil prices and raising hopes for de-escalation in the Middle East conflict.
TEHRAN: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired a fresh wave of missiles at Israel and US bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain on Wednesday.
The attacks continued despite US President Donald Trump signalling he was eager for talks with Tehran, a shift that steadied global markets.
Trump said Washington was “in negotiations right now” with Tehran and hinted at a significant gesture related to the Strait of Hormuz.
“They gave us a present and the present arrived today. And it was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money,” he told reporters.
“That meant one thing to me — we’re dealing with the right people.”
The New York Times reported Washington had sent a 15-point plan to Iran via Pakistan in a bid to end the war.
It was unclear if Israel, which has been striking Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, was aware of the plan.
Iranian officials have yet to confirm any formal talks.
Trump also repeated a claim that Tehran has “agreed they will never have a nuclear weapon”.
Despite his diplomatic hints, The Wall Street Journal reported Washington plans to send a further 3,000 soldiers to the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Iran’s missile salvo caused limited damage at Kuwait International Airport.
Bahrain activated air raid sirens while Jordan reported falling shrapnel near Amman with no casualties.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted at least four drones in the kingdom’s east.
Israel said it was launching new strikes on “infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime” in response.
Iran had earlier accused Israel of carrying out a second strike on its Bushehr civilian nuclear plant.
In Lebanon, state media said Israeli strikes killed six people in the southern Sidon area.
Israel has stepped up its campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
Focus remained on the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route Tehran has largely blockaded.
Iran assured safe passage through the strait to “non-hostile vessels” in a message to the International Maritime Organization.
The IMO said Iran’s communique stated vessels belonging to “the aggressor parties — namely the United States and the Israeli regime” would not be allowed passage.
Trump had earlier threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if it did not open the strait.
He later extended that deadline by five days, citing diplomatic progress.
Signs of a possible conclusion to the war saw the benchmark price of crude oil drop more than 6%.