An Iranian flag hangs beside an anti-US and anti-Israeli billboard during a pro-government religious rally in downtown Tehran.

• US President Donald Trump indicated progress on negotiations with Iran.
• But Iran rejected that and mocked Trump.
• Israel and Iran continued to exchange fire.

Iran mocked US President Donald Trump’s comments on the progress of the war and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said there had been “very good and productive” talks aiming at halting the conflict raging across the Middle East.

After Trump’s Truth Social comment on Monday, Iran said no talks had yet been held.

Iran’s embassy in South Africa posted an image on X showing a child’s pink steering wheel placed on a car dashboard in front of the passenger seat, apparently mocking Trump’s idea, aired to reporters, that he could control the Strait of Hormuz alongside Iran’s supreme leader.

The embassy posted on X: “The Strait of Hormuz will be controlled by me and the Ayatollah.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who spoke to Trump less than 48 hours before their countries began the war, was expected to convene a meeting of security officials for talks on Trump’s bid for a deal with Iran, two senior Israeli officials said.

Three senior Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump appeared determined to reach a deal, ‌but that they thought it highly unlikely that Iran would agree to US demands in any new round of negotiations.

A Pakistani official has said direct talks may be held in Islamabad this week.

The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on 28 February after saying they had failed to ⁠make enough headway in talks aimed at ending Iran’s nuclear programme, even though mediator Oman said significant progress had been made.

The crisis has escalated across the Middle East.

Iran has attacked countries that host US bases, struck key energy infrastructure and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.

On Tuesday, Iranian missiles triggered air raid sirens in Israel’s biggest city, Tel Aviv, where gaping holes were torn through a multi-storey apartment building.

It was not immediately clear if the damage had been caused by a direct hit or debris from an interception.

Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service said they were searching for civilians trapped in one building in Tel Aviv and discovered civilians in a shelter in another damaged building.

Israel’s military said its fighter jets had carried out a large wave of strikes in central Tehran on Monday, targeting key command centres, including facilities associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ intelligence arm and the Intelligence Ministry.

It said it had also hit more than 50 other targets overnight, including ballistic missile storage and launch sites.