Donald Trump's team believes it is 'closest' it has ever been to a peace deal with Iran, which would reportedly see both sides lifting restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said the ceasefire with Iran remains in effect despite renewed exchanges of fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking during a visit to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Trump dismissed Iran’s reported attacks on American warships as “a trifle” and later described the US response as “just a love tap.”

Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong stocks slipped on Friday, as ​renewed hostilities broke out between the ​United States and Iran, threatening a shaky ceasefire, while investors ​awaited next week's meeting between top leaders of the world's two largest economies.

Hamas condemned Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza, labeling them a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire and part of a “war of extermination.”

During Rubio's meeting with Leo and the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, "the shared commitment to fostering good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America was reaffirmed", the Vatican said.

The US is waiting on Iran to respond to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end a war that’s killed thousands of people, with tensions still high in both the Persian Gulf and in Lebanon.