The FTSE 100 closed up 260.09 points, 2.5%, at 10,608.88.

The US president warned ‘a whole civilisation will die’ in Iran if the country does not heed his cut-off to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Stocks initially nursed hefty falls after US President Donald Trump threatened further heavy strikes on Iran.

The US and Iran have both made some positive noises, prompting markets to rise.

But Unilever shares fell 7.3% as it confirmed it had agreed to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Co.

Financial analysts said markets remain nervous amid comments from Donald Trump about seizing Iranian oil and the country’s Kharg Island export hub.

The FTSE 100 closed down just 4.82 points at 9,967.35.

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The FTSE 100 index closed up 71.01 points on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump said he had instructed strikes against Iranian energy sites to be postponed for five days, and that talks were under way.

For the week, the FTSE 100 was down 5.7%, the FTSE 250 fell 5.3% and the AIM All-Share dipped 4.2%.

Financial markets continue to be rattled by the Iran conflict, which entered its sixth day with seemingly no immediate prospect of resolution.

With the Middle East crisis entering its fifth day, the oil price cooled a touch.

The Middle East crisis overshadowed the Government’s spring statement.

The FTSE 100 Index ended down 130.44 points, 1.2%, at 10,780.11.

The FTSE 100 index ended up 63.85 points, 0.6%, at 10,910.55, a record close.

The FTSE 100 index ended up 40.29 points, 0.4%, at 10,846.70, a record close.

The FTSE 100 index ended up 1.2% at 10,806.41, a record close.

It marked the second day in a row the index has closed much as it started, despite headwinds over US tariffs and fears over AI disruption.

The latest trade worries came after US President Donald Trump raised the global tariff he wants to impose to 15%.