Evening Briefing Europe

US and Iran Dig in on War Demands as Hormuz Remains Closed

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People sift through rubble following a strike in Tehran, on March 31.Photographer: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

With conflicting messages coming from both the United States and Iran, it is difficult to say where prospects for a ceasefire stand. US President Donald Trump has swung from threats to escalate the conflict to claiming a deal with Iran is imminent.

The critical Strait of Hormuz is a key sticking point. Iran closed the vital shipping lane to most ships not long after the US and Israel started carrying out airstrikes at the end of February.