Live updates: Israel says Iran war at halfway point; Trump says it may be 'winding down'

Three weeks of war in Iran have sent the U.S. stock market into turmoil, skyrocketed oil prices and created general unease across the globe. 

President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration was not interested in a ceasefire with Iran, but was considering "winding down" military operations in the region, despite more troops being sent to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Israel's defense minister continued the mixed signals on Saturday when he said Israel’s army and the U.S. military will greatly increase their attacks on Iran. 

The U.S. military has lost 13 service members due to the war in Iran. The war has killed more than 1,300 people in Iran and more than 1,000 people in Lebanon, officials said. In Israel, 15 people were killed by Iranian missiles and four others died in the occupied West Bank. 

Here’s the latest from Saturday:

Israel says war will last several more weeks

2:48 p.m. ET: Israel is only at the halfway point in the war with Iran, the military’s chief of staff said on Saturday, as the country entered the fourth week of war against Iran.

"Dear citizens of Israel — we are at the midway point, but the direction is clear," Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said. "In about a week, on Passover, the Festival of Freedom, we will continue to fight for our freedom and our future."

Israel says Iran attacks will ramp up

8:30 a.m. ET: Israel's defense minister said Israel and the U.S. will greatly increase the intensity of attacks against Iran, contradicting President Trump, who said his administration is considering "winding down" the military operation. Trump also sent mixed signals when he said he wasn't interested in a ceasefire. 

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Israel's defense minister said in a video statement that the country would continue targeting senior figures within Iran until all security threats against Israel and U.S. interests were removed.

Oil sanctions on Iran to be lifted to ease costs

The Trump administration on Friday said it would lift certain sanctions on Iranian oil to ease soaring prices. The pause is set to begin on Friday and end on April 19.

The license also has limits including a restriction on sales involving anyone in North Korea or Cuba.

Big picture view:

The new move does not increase the flow of production, a central factor in the surging prices. Iran has managed to evade U.S. sanctions for years, suggesting that much of what it exports already reaches buyers.