Israel and Lebanon Prolong Ceasefire by Three Weeks Amid Trump's Pursuit of Iran Deal

Israel and Lebanon announced a three-week extension to their ceasefire during a White House meeting brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The deal aims to address ongoing clashes with Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, a key issue in the broader eight-week regional war.

Trump emphasized patience for an ‘everlasting’ peace accord with Iran, downplaying urgency while highlighting U.S. naval superiority in the Strait of Hormuz standoff. He dismissed Iranian vessels as ‘little wise-guy ships’ and confirmed orders for the U.S. Navy to target any mine-laying activities.

Despite the truce, the strait remains effectively closed to navigation after Iran seized two major cargo ships, straining oil markets and the global economy. Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei rejected Trump’s claims of internal disarray, vowing stronger national unity.

Trump extended the existing Iran ceasefire indefinitely for talks and ruled out nuclear weapons, stating conventional U.S. strikes have already overwhelmed Tehran. Fighting persists in southern Lebanon, with Israeli forces reporting kills of armed suspects and Hezbollah launching retaliatory operations.

A Lebanese journalist died in recent Israeli strikes, and Israel seeks alignment with Lebanon’s government to disarm Hezbollah. Separately, Israel’s defense minister warned of readiness to strike Iran again, pending U.S. approval, targeting its leadership.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)