- Trump to address nation -

President Donald Trump will address Americans on the Iran war on Wednesday evening, his first prime-time speech since the conflict began, as his approval ratings plunge and economic anxiety rises.

The White House gave no details on the address, but it comes hours after Trump claimed Iran had sought a pause in hostilities, and that fighting could be over in "two weeks, maybe three."

- Israel medics say 14 wounded -

Israel's emergency services said 14 people, including an 11-year-old girl, were wounded near Tel Aviv during a missile attack that the military blamed on Iran.

Later in the day, medics said they were treating a 61-year-old man in mild condition with blast injuries in the north following fire from Lebanon, where Israeli forces are fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah.

- Stocks rally, oil falls --

Global stocks rallied and oil prices fell after Trump said the Middle East war could be over within weeks despite Tehran pushing back against his comments.

Wall Street's main indices closed higher, building on major gains from the previous day. German, French and British markets also rose.

- World Bank raises alarm -

The World Bank is "extremely concerned" about the impact the conflict will have on inflation, jobs and food security, and is in talks with member states on how to address immediate needs in the crisis, a top official told AFP on Wednesday.

Managing Director Paschal Donohoe's comments came as his organization announced a new partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and International Energy Agency (IEA) to coordinate aid responses to the war.

- 'America First'? -

Iran's president asked Americans if the Middle East conflict was truly putting "America First" and accused the US of war crimes and being influenced by Israel.

The US-Israeli attacks sow "instability, increase human and economic costs" and plant "seeds of resentment that will endure for years," said President Masoud Pezeshkian. "Exactly which of the American people's interests are truly being served by this war?"

- Former Iran foreign minister wounded -

Former Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi was seriously wounded in a strike that claimed the life of his wife, Iranian media reported.

According to the newspapers Shargh, Etemad and Ham Mihan, Kharazi's home in Tehran was targeted in a US-Israeli strike. He is still an adviser to the government.

- Iran denies seeking ceasefire -

Iran denied Trump's assertion that Tehran had asked for a ceasefire, state television reported, citing the foreign ministry.

"Trump's statements about Iran's request for a ceasefire are false and baseless," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei was quoted as saying.

Separately, Iran's Revolutionary Guards insisted that the strategic strait of Hormuz will remain closed to the country's "enemies," as Trump said re-opening the Straits was one of his conditions for a ceasefire.

- UN warns of crackdown -

Iran and countries across the Middle East are using the war as an excuse to clamp down on rights, the UN warned, denouncing attempts to restrict the press in Israel and the United States.

United Nations rights chief Volker Turk warned that governments had dramatically tightened security and restrictions on people's actions and movements in public spaces, infringing on their rights.