Trump extends Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, delays Iran deal push
U.S. President Donald Trump has said the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by three weeks following White House-brokered talks, while insisting he will not “rush” a long-term nuclear and regional deal with Iran.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said he preferred to wait for “the best deal” and described his goal as securing an “everlasting” agreement to end the wider regional conflict involving Iran and its allies.
The extension of the ceasefire comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, whose conflict has been one of several flashpoints in an eight-week regional war.
The dispute is intertwined with broader issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
Trump said the United States held a strategic advantage in the maritime standoff, dismissing Iranian naval activity as ineffective.
He also claimed U.S. forces were prepared to respond forcefully to threats in the region, including what he described as Iranian attempts to disrupt shipping.
Despite the ceasefire extension, fighting continued in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces carried out strikes on what they described as Hezbollah targets.
The Israeli military said it killed two armed individuals it claimed posed an immediate threat. Lebanese officials and media reports said civilians were among those killed in recent strikes, including journalist Amal Khalil, who worked for Al-Akhbar newspaper.
Israel has maintained that its operations are aimed at degrading Hezbollah capabilities, while the group said it conducted multiple retaliatory operations in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah was not part of the Washington negotiations.
Trump also indicated that the ceasefire with Iran would remain open-ended to allow further diplomatic engagement, though no new talks have been formally scheduled. “Don’t rush me,” he said. “I want to make the best deal … I want it to be everlasting.”
He dismissed concerns over Iran’s leadership, suggesting internal instability, a claim rejected by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who described such remarks as “enemy media operations” aimed at weakening national unity.
Meanwhile, tensions between Israel and Iran remained high. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel was awaiting a “green light” from Washington to resume broader military operations, adding that any renewed campaign could target Iran’s leadership.
