- Iran Guards say they have seized two ships -

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to Iranian territorial waters.

Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave or enter the Gulf through the strait, a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world's oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.

- $500m cash shipment to Iraq blocked -

The United States blocked a plane carrying nearly $500 million in banknotes from delivering the cash to Iraq, US media reported, piling pressure on Baghdad to fight Iran-backed militant groups.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has suspended cash shipments to Iraq and frozen funding for security programs following attacks on US interests in the country by groups showing solidarity with Iran.

- Oil prices fall -

Oil prices edged higher Wednesday while Europe's main stock markets eased on uncertainty surrounding the prospect of resumed Mideast peace talks following an extension to the US-Iran ceasefire.

Brent North Sea was again closing on $100 a barrel while main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, traded back above $90. Both main oil contracts had risen around three percent Tuesday.

- Iran cargo ship targeted -

A cargo ship leaving Iran was fired upon and stopped in the water, a British maritime agency reported, as the United States continued its blockade of Iranian ports.

"A master of an outbound cargo ship reports having been fired upon and is now stopped in the water. Crew are safe and accounted for. There is no reported damage to the vessel," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said.

Meanwhile, an Iranian gunboat fired at a container ship off the coast of Oman, causing damage to the vessel's bridge but no casualties, the UKMTO said.

- Israel calls for Lebanon to step up action -

Israel's foreign minister on Wednesday urged Beirut to make joint efforts to counter the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, ahead of new talks between the countries in Washington.

"Tomorrow the direct talks between Israel and Lebanon will resume in Washington DC. I call on the government of Lebanon -- let's work together against the terror state that Hezbollah built in your territory," Gideon Saar said in a speech to diplomats.

"This cooperation is needed by you even more than by us. It requires moral clarity and the courage to take risks. But there is no real alternative for ensuring a future of peace for you and for us."

- Deadly Israeli strike in Lebanon -

An Israeli strike on Lebanon's Bekaa region killed one person and wounded two others despite a truce between Israel and the Hezbollah group, Lebanese state media reported.

Hezbollah on Tuesday said it had launched rockets and attack drones at a site in northern Israel in response to "blatant" Israeli ceasefire violations, which it said included "attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages".

- China warns Mideast at 'critical juncture' -

China warned that the Middle East conflict was at a "critical juncture" after President Trump extended a ceasefire to allow Iran more time to negotiate.

"The current regional situation stands at a critical juncture transitioning between war to peace; the paramount priority remains to make every effort to prevent a resumption of hostilities," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news briefing.

- 'Iran doesn't want the Strait of Hormuz closed': Trump -

The US president said Iran wanted the Strait of Hormuz open "so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day", which he said the Gulf nation would risk losing if it remains closed.

Trump insisted in a Truth Social post Tuesday that keeping a US blockade of the strait was vital for forging a deal with Iran.

"People approached me four days ago, saying, 'Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.' But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!," Trump said in the post.

burs/pdw

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