US Announces Lebanon Ceasefire Amid Iran Talks and Strait of Hormuz Reopening

President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, effective Friday, following meetings in Washington. The agreement aims to facilitate direct negotiations between the two governments, which have not communicated directly in decades.

Trump stated on Truth Social that he had an excellent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, leading to the truce. Israeli troops remained positioned in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire began, with reports of artillery fire at approaching residents.

Hezbollah stated it would respect the ceasefire but keep fighters ready. The deal does not resolve underlying issues, including Hezbollah's armament and Israel's presence in Lebanon.

Trump said the US will work with Iran to recover its enriched uranium and transport it to the US. He added that Iran agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely. However, Axios reported ongoing negotiations over a three-page plan, including discussions on releasing $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for the uranium stockpile, though Trump stated the US will not release any frozen funds.

Trump announced that Iran is removing sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz, which is now completely open to commercial shipping for the remainder of the ceasefire. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the reopening. The US naval blockade of Iran remains in full force, according to Trump.

“The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force”

Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire was agreed upon at Trump's request, but the job of addressing rocket and drone threats is not finished. Israel's defense minister Israel Katz stated that the goal of disarming Hezbollah remains, achievable by military or diplomatic means.

A Channel 12 poll found nearly 80% of Israelis wanted continued strikes on Hezbollah. In Lebanon, residents returned to ruined homes in the south, with almost 2,200 people killed in the past month. Hezbollah called on the Lebanese government not to engage in direct talks with Israel, while appointing Iran as its steward in broader talks.

Iran's foreign ministry welcomed the ceasefire. Trump described the war with Iran as going swimmingly and predicted it should end soon. He prohibited Israel from bombing Lebanon further. The ceasefire was first learned by Israel's security cabinet via Trump's social media post, and by Hezbollah via Iran's ambassador to Lebanon.

The agreement seeks lasting peace, with the Lebanese government holding a monopoly on force and a formal border demarcation. Negotiations must address Hezbollah's arms and Israeli withdrawal. Both sides exchanged heavy fire before the truce took effect.

Europe's gas futures prices retreated to their lowest since the US and Israel attacked Iran, which had closed the Strait of Hormuz and halted gas exports from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The truce in Lebanon and Hormuz reopening raised hopes for clearing obstacles to a US-Iran peace deal.

Trump stated the Lebanon deal is separate but pledged to make Lebanon great again. Netanyahu said Israel has not finished dismantling Hezbollah. Sustained international focus is needed for the talks to succeed, as fighting could resume without it.

“The ground manuever into Lebanon and the attack on Hezbollah throughout Lebanon have achieved many achievements but are still not complete; the goal we defined: disarming Hezbollah by military or diplomatic means, was and remains the goal of the campaign to which we are committed.”