Middle East crisis live: Trump insists Iran wants a deal despite initial rejection; China sees ‘glimmer of hope’ for talks

US president claims Iranian negotiators fear being killed by their own side; Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi says US and Iran ‘signalling a willingness to negotiate’ Iran rejects US ceasefire plan and submits its own amid push for talks Analysis: Trump pitches Iran peace plan but military buildups rarely veer to off-ramp An Iranian envoy has said South Korean ships can pass through the Strait of Hormuz only after coordinating with Tehran , the Yonhap News Agency has reported. Such an agreement had to be reached in advance of the transit, said Saeed Khuzechi , the Iranian ambassador to South Korea, at a press conference in response to a question about guarantees for South Korean vessels to navigate the vital conduit for oil. Continue reading...