White House brokers Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extension; Trump holds out for Iran deal

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their temporary ceasefire for an additional three weeks following talks held at the White House, where US President Donald Trump played a central mediating role. The extension comes as Washington pushes for broader negotiations to end the wider regional conflict involving Iran and its allies.

Speaking after the announcement, Trump said he was in no rush to finalize a peace agreement, stressing that he is holding out for what he called the “best and most lasting deal” with Iran. He also maintained that the United States holds a strategic advantage in the ongoing maritime confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that remains heavily disrupted.

The US president reiterated that American naval forces have been instructed to respond forcefully to any Iranian vessels attempting to deploy mines in the waterway, while also ruling out the use of nuclear weapons, saying conventional military capabilities were sufficient to counter Tehran.

Despite the ceasefire extension, tensions on the ground remain high, with reports of continued Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah-linked targets. The conflict has already led to significant casualties and ongoing retaliatory actions by Hezbollah.

Iran’s leadership rejected Trump’s claims of internal instability, accusing Washington of spreading misinformation, while regional maritime tensions and disruptions in oil shipping continue to fuel global economic concerns.