U.S. and Iran Continue Indirect Peace Talks as Blockade Persists

U.S. proposal for a deal to end the nearly three-month war, according to state media in Tehran. President Trump stated he is willing to wait "a couple of days" for an Iranian response and described his team as "pretty impressed" by Iran's negotiators, while adding that "we have to get the right answers" to avoid a return to war.

Munir is expected in Tehran Thursday to support ongoing indirect negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that he believes the Pakistani visit will advance the diplomatic process. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Army head Maj.

Gen. Amir Hatami and vowed to strengthen the country's military capabilities. Hatami said the Iranian Army is prepared to respond to any new attack.

U.S. military has redirected 94 ships and disabled four others to enforce its blockade of Iranian ports, Central Command said Thursday. Iran has responded by requiring ships to coordinate with its navy before transiting the Strait of Hormuz and has collected fees for passage.

U.S. stocks slipped in early trading Thursday as Brent crude oil rose 3 percent to about $108 per barrel. Oil prices have remained higher since the war began.

Germany charged two men with planning an Iran-backed murder plot targeting a pro-Israel public figure. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly barred removal of enriched uranium from the country, though a senior Iranian official later denied the report to Al Jazeera. U.S. forces near Singapore have returned to Iran, according to Iranian state media.