Hello and welcome to our continuing coverage of the Middle East. Here is the latest:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a peace deal with Iran would be "extremely difficult" to achieve unless Tehran stops attacking ships in Hormuz. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, said that while Iran was "firmly committed to seeking a dignified peaceful resolution to the conflict, we are also fully prepared to defend ourselves".
In Yemen, a ballistic missile targeted Aden International Airport on Wednesday - the third such attack this month amid escalating strikes with Saudi Arabia and a tightening siege on Taizz.
Israeli attacks continue in Gaza, the West Bank, southern Lebanon and Syria.