Middle East crisis live: US launches fresh strikes on Iran after days-long pause in attacks

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Before Wednesday’s flare-up of hostilities, mediators had expressed optimism about bringing the US and Iran back to the negotiating table following the collapse of an interim agreement amid renewed fighting over the strait of Hormuz. A regional official quoted by the AP said mediators were “still trying with both sides” to restore calm and get the ceasefire back on track. He gave no details on whether progress was being made. Another official said regional countries would continue to push to de-escalate the situation, but that prospects for successful mediation were slim as both sides continued to attack each other and shown no inclination to stop. “We’re in a very bad…

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