US and Iran close to temporary truce, Pakistani officials claim (opens in new tab)

Latest briefings float hope of basic deal that would keep peace and free shipping while further negotiations continueMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe US and Iran are close to a temporary agreement to halt the war in the Middle East, officials in Pakistan claimed on Thursday, as diplomatic activity gathered fresh momentum after a near breakdown of the current ceasefire earlier this week.Officials on Islamabad said a very basic “interim” deal could be reached as early as this weekend and th...