Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire will be extended by three weeks following high-level talks at the White House, as tensions continue to simmer in the region.
Trump said the extension is aimed at giving diplomatic efforts more time, while emphasizing that he is in no hurry to finalize a broader agreement with Iran. “I don’t want to rush myself,” he stated, adding that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
Meanwhile, both the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah have accused each other of violating the ceasefire. The IDF reported that it killed three individuals it described as “Hezbollah terrorists” overnight, while Hezbollah claimed it had launched rockets toward northern Israel in response.
One of the main challenges blocking a long-term peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon remains Hezbollah’s military capabilities. The Iran-backed group has so far refused to engage in discussions regarding the future of its weapons arsenal, a key sticking point in negotiations.
On the Iranian side, President Trump recently described Iran’s leadership as “seriously fractured.” In response, Iranian authorities issued a coordinated message to citizens’ phones, presenting what officials called a unified national stance, according to reports from Tehran.
Diplomatic observers say the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the temporary ceasefire can evolve into a lasting agreement or if renewed conflict will escalate in the region.
