Middle East peace breakthrough as Iran hints it will open Strait of Hormuz and Trump hails major Israel and Lebanon development - Live updates

The war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of President Donald Trump talking up hopes ​for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Israel's cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss a possible ceasefire in neighbouring Lebanon, a senior Israeli official said, more than six weeks into its ‌war with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Trump said talks between leaders of both countries would take place on Thursday, while the Financial Times reported a ceasefire could be announced soon, citing Lebanese officials.

Taking to Truth Social on Wednesday night, the US President said: 'Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!'

Ending the fighting in Lebanon was a key sticking point in earlier peace talks, along with how to deal with Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

'We feel good about the prospects of a deal,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a news conference on Wednesday, calling conversations mediated by ​Pakistan'productive and ongoing.'

She denied reports that the US had formally requested an extension of a two-week ceasefire agreed by the two sides on April 8.

More in-person talks had ⁠not yet been confirmed but would likely take place in Pakistan again, Leavitt said.

Meanwhile, Iran could consider allowing ships to ​sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of proposals it has ‌offered in negotiations with the US, providing a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source briefed by Tehran said.

The source did not say whether Iran would also agree to clear any mines it may have placed in that stretch of water or if all ships - even those linked to Israel - would be allowed to pass freely.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that four suspected Israeli spies were arrested in Iran.

'The four agents linked to the Mossad were apprehended in Gilan governorate' in northern Iran, the report read, citing a statement from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

'The arrestees had provided Mossad intelligence officers with images and locations of some sensitive and critical military and security sites via the internet,' it added.

The suspects have reportedly been handed over to judicial authorities.

The EU is drafting plans to tackle a looming jet fuel supply crunch and maximise refinery output, officials said.

European airlines have warned of jet fuel shortages within weeks as a result of the Iran war, disrupting travel ahead of summer.

Europe is more dependent on jet fuel imports, with some 75% from the Middle East, than for any other transport fuel.

From next month, the European Commission will introduce EU-wide mapping of refining capacity for oil products and introduce measures 'to ensure that existing refining capacity is fully utilised and maintained', a draft proposal reads.

The EU is also working on measures targeting jet fuel supply, but those are still in development, officials familiar with the proposals said. The Commission declined to comment on the draft plans, which are due to be published on April 22.

The International Energy Agency is forecasting jet fuel shortages by June if the region can only replace half of the supplies ‌it normally gets from the Middle East.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was a unanimous demand from the international community.

Wang Yi told Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a phone call that Iran’s sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights should be respected as a littoral state of the Strait of Hormuz, but freedom of navigation and safety through the strait should be ensured.

'Working to resume normal passage of the strait is a unanimous call from the international community,' Wang said.

Lebanon is 'not aware' of any upcoming contact with Israel, an official source said, after US President Donald Trump said the leaders of the two countries would speak on Thursday.

'We are not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side, and we have not been informed of any through official channels,' the source said.