President Donald Trump says the US and Iran have held “productive conversations” and that he will hold off any military strikes against Iranian energy sites for five days. Follow for live updates.

Fears grow in Lebanon of Israeli ground invasion as IDF preparing for "several more weeks of fighting against Iran and Hezbollah".

The possibility of an American ground operation in Iran is growing, but one service member familiar with troops in the region told HuffPost the prospect would be "an absolute disaster."

President Trump said he would postpone a deadline for striking Iran’s energy infrastructure after “productive” talks to resolve hostilities. Iranian state media said he was “backing down” after threats of retaliation.

Statements from President Trump that the war is almost over are not matching up with the reality on the ground.

“Dear citizens of Israel — we are at the midway point, but the direction is clear,” Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said. “In about a week, on Passover, the Festival of Freedom, we will continue to fight for our freedom and our future.”

President Trump’s hopes that an Israeli plan to ignite an internal uprising against Iran’s theocratic government could bring the war to a swift end have so far been dashed.

By Andrew Mills and Trevor Hunnicutt DOHA/WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM, March 19 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had told Israel not to repeat its attacks on Iranian natural gas infrastructure as tit-for-tat strikes on energy plants sent energy prices spiralling,