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This is the world in brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

Donald Trump insisted that America was close to striking a deal with Iran,

although he threatened to renew bombings without one.

Iran said it was evaluating America's peace proposal,

which reportedly involves a moratorium on Iran enriching uranium.

Brent crude, the oil benchmark fell by 8% to $101 a barrel,

while global stock markets rose on the news of a possible de-escalation.

Meanwhile, America said it fired at an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman,

accusing it of violating America's blockade of Iran's ports and ignoring repeated warnings from the army.

America's Central Command said the vessel was no longer transiting to Iran.

Mr. Trump has paused America's operation to guide commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz

amid negotiations with Iran.

Israel said it struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeting a top commander of

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia. It is the first attack on Lebanon's capital since the two

countries implemented a fragile ceasefire last month,

although fighting elsewhere has continued.

...