Middle East crisis live: Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks but claims he won’t rush Iran deal

Middle East crisis live: Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks but claims he won’t rush Iran deal

Middle East Crisis: Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Extended, Iran Deal Stalled

The latest developments in the Middle East crisis reveal a complex and escalating situation involving Israel, Lebanon, Iran, and the United States.

President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by three weeks. He expressed hope that leaders from both countries might use this window to meet and explore longer-term peace prospects.

However, when pressed about negotiations with Iran, Trump insisted he would not be rushed, signaling a cautious approach toward any potential deal.

At the same time, Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill” small Iranian boats suspected of laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that American forces now have “total control” over the strategic waterway.

This follows U.S. special forces boarding a stateless oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, which the Pentagon alleged was carrying Iranian crude oil. Trump also stated that the U.S. had struck approximately 75% of its intended targets in Iran, though he argued that internal turmoil within Iran’s leadership was preventing progress toward a settlement.

Iranian officials pushed back against Trump’s characterization of divisions within their government. President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected the notion of “hardliners” versus “moderates,” while Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iranian institutions remain united and disciplined.

Meanwhile, Iran’s deputy president warned of an “eye for an eye” retaliation if U.S. strikes continue against Iranian oil facilities.

The crisis has also drawn international condemnation after the killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil in an Israeli strike, which Lebanon’s prime minister labeled a “war crime.” Human Rights Watch urged Lebanon to join the International Criminal Court to pursue accountability.

The attack has intensified outrage, with reports that rescuers attempting to save Khalil were also targeted.

Beyond the battlefield, the U.S. State Department offered a $10 million reward for information on Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, leader of the Tehran-backed militia Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada in Iraq.

This highlights Washington’s broader strategy of targeting Iran’s regional network of armed groups. Meanwhile, U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson, recently freed after being kidnapped by an Iran-backed militia in Baghdad, publicly thanked supporters for securing her release.

The crisis is reverberating globally. Asian markets dipped and oil prices rose amid uncertainty, while European leaders debated NATO’s role and criticized the U.S. approach.

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez rejected reports of potential NATO punishments and renewed his criticism of the war, calling for respect for international law. The EU’s foreign chief Kaja Kallas warned that talks with Iran must include nuclear experts to avoid a weaker deal than the original JCPOA.

Pope Leo also urged a return to negotiations, advocating for a “culture of peace” to replace violence.

In Lebanon, MP Najat Saliba welcomed the ceasefire extension, noting it would allow civilians to return to their homes, though she cautioned that Hezbollah’s response could complicate matters.

Meanwhile, reports of ceasefire violations continued, with both Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces accusing each other of rocket attacks and breaches of the truce.

Overall, the situation remains volatile. While the ceasefire extension offers a temporary reprieve, the broader U.S.-Iran confrontation, ongoing violence in Lebanon, and international divisions over the conflict underscore the fragility of peace efforts and the risk of further escalation.