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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reaffirmed Washington's openness to diplomatic negotiations with Iran, though he stressed that Tehran must demonstrate genuine commitment to resolving tensions through talks.
Democratic senators, led by Kirsten Gillibrand, have demanded the Trump administration release findings from a Pentagon investigation into a February 28 military strike on an Iranian girls' school within one week.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to impose a 20 per cent toll on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting Tehran's role as permanent guardian of the critical waterway.
Washington has announced new financial sanctions against individuals and organisations with alleged ties to Iran's leadership, escalating tensions following attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed Malaysia's support for a US-Iran understanding aimed at de-escalating Middle Eastern tensions, while cautioning that the fragile agreement requires strict compliance with ceasefire terms and immediate reopening of shipping routes.
Qatar and Pakistan have concluded separate mediation meetings between US and Iranian delegations in Doha, reporting 'positive progress' on issues stemming from the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.