US President Donald Trump has pulled back from threatened military strikes against Iran, citing 'discussions' that have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership aimed at reaching a negotiated end to the conflict.
Trump said an agreement could be signed as early as this weekend in Europe, with Vice President JD Vance expected to attend.
However, it remains unclear whether Iran would take part, with Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reporting that officials had not yet approved the text of any agreement with the United States.
Trump also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, and planned to speak with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Oil prices fell below $90 a barrel and stocks rebounded following Trump's initial remarks, but the rapidly shifting rhetoric has roiled markets as traders search for signs that a deal may be near.
