“Iran dismissed a US ceasefire proposal on Wednesday and countered with a negotiation plan of its own as intermediaries sought to keep diplomatic channels between the warring countries open.”

“Iranian state TV quoted an anonymous official as saying Tehran had rejected the plan it had received via Pakistan, saying it would 'end the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met', and until then would continue fighting across the region.”

“Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, later said the proposals had been 'passed on to the country’s senior authorities' but Iran had 'no intention of negotiating for now'.”

“Donald Trump, speaking at a fundraiser in Washington on Wednesday night, insisted Iran was still interested in cutting a deal.”

“China’s foreign minister Wang Yi held separate calls with his Turkish and Egyptian counterparts, in which he urged dialogue, telling Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty: 'With both the United States and Iran signalling a willingness to negotiate, a glimmer of hope for peace has emerged.'”

“Israel’s military said on Thursday its forces had carried out a wave of strikes across Iran, including in the central city of Isfahan.”

“Kuwait said it had arrested six people over an alleged Hezbollah plot to assassinate leaders in the Gulf state.”

“The US military said late on Wednesday its forces had hit more than 10,000 targets so far in the Iran war, including destroying 92% of the Iranian navy’s largest vessels.”

“The five-point plan Iran put forward included an end to the fighting and the assassination of its officials, guarantees that no other war is started against it, reparations for the current conflict, and Iranian control over the strait of Hormuz.”

“The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said discussions were continuing and were productive.”

“Iran’s five-point plan is likely to be a non-starter for the US, particularly as it includes continued Iranian control over the strait of Hormuz.”

“An unnamed Iranian military official also said Iran would target shipping in the Red Sea if the US launched a ground invasion.”

“A senior Iranian official speaking to Al Jazeera described the proposal as 'extremely maximalist and unreasonable'.”

“Iran has warned that it will carpet-bomb its own territory to attack any US troops landing there, according to diplomats from a third country who passed the threat on to Washington.”

“The speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, suggested 'enemies' were planning to try to occupy Kharg Island with the help of a regional country.”

“The White House said some of the reported points were in the plan, but others were not official.”

“The US continued to amass troops in the Middle East. At least 1,000 troops from the 82nd airborne division will be sent to the region, according to the Associated Press, as well as 5,000 more marines and thousands of sailors.”