US Pauses Iran Deadline, Markets Rally

0:00It's March 23rd. Sydney News Today starts now, AI-powered and ready. Day 24 of the Middle East conflict brings a key shift from the United States. President Trump has paused his 48-hour deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping. He points to promising discussions as the reason, easing fears of strikes on Iranian power plants. Iranian officials deny any direct conversations with Washington, crediting regional mediators for cooling tensions instead. Meanwhile, Israel presses on with operations against Iran and Lebanon, including a drone strike that took out an Iranian guard member in a Beirut. Suburb Reactions are mixed across the region. Some see the U.S. move as a step back, while markets have rallied on the de-escalation news. Lebanon's justice minister stresses that his Bola must disarm for any real peace, giving Israel fewer reasons to strike. Banks continue unavated, with heavy damage in Beirut's southern suburbs where residents linger despite warnings.

1:01Israel emitted one-border death was from its own artillery, a rare, quick correction. The international energy agency warns this poses the biggest global energy risk ever seen. As talks hint at progress through back channels, the focus stays on protecting key routes and civilian areas amid the ongoing exchanges.