Israel-US-Iran War: Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Extended, Trump In No Rush For Iran Deal, Hormuz Blockade Stays

Fresh clashes and naval tensions in West Asia are reshaping military, diplomatic and economic calculations worldwide, even as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is extended and Washington pauses further strikes on Iran while tightening its naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump said Lebanon and Israel have agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks after a high-level Oval Office meeting with Israel's ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanon's ambassador Nada Moawad, though Israeli forces have continued targeted strikes in Lebanon against Hezbollah-linked positions.

Israel-Iran war: Strikes in Lebanon, Tehran air defences and Hormuz flashpoints

The Israeli military said it hit a missile launcher in Lebanon that had fired into Israel on Thursday, claiming air defences intercepted the incoming rockets before impact, while Hezbollah said it carried out the attack and Israel later reported killing two armed individuals near Aainata who, according to the army, posed "an immediate threat" to soldiers.

In Iran, Mehr News Agency reported that air defence units in parts of Tehran activated and operators were heard "engaging hostile targets," while local media described several explosions above the capital as defence systems fired at unidentified aerial objects, highlighting persistent concerns over possible Israeli or US surveillance and strike activity.

Israel-Iran war: Trump’s posts, ceasefire stance and claims of US leverage

Trump continued to insist Washington holds the advantage in the standoff, telling CNBC that "Iran can get themselves on a very good footing if they make a deal," and posting on Truth Social that he feels "no rush" to reach an agreement, emphasising that any accord must suit the United States, its allies and other countries.

In a lengthy social media message, Trump wrote: "For those people, fewer in number now than ever before, that are reading The Failing New York Times, or watching Fake News CNN, that think that I am "anxious" to end the War (if you would even call it that!) with Iran, please be advised that I am possibly the least pressured person ever to be in this position. I have all the time in the World, but Iran doesn't — The clock is ticking! The reason some of the Media is doing so poorly with Subscribers and Viewers is because they no longer have credibility. Iran's Navy is lying at the bottom of the Sea, their Air Force is demolished, their Anti Aircraft and Radar Weaponry is gone, their leaders are no longer with us, the Blockade is airtight and strong and, from there, it only gets worse — Time is not on their side! A Deal will only be made when it's appropriate and good for the United States of America, our Allies and, in fact, the rest of the World."

Israel-Iran war: Blockade, mines and control of the Strait of Hormuz

A Pentagon assessment cited by the Washington Post said it could take six months to fully clear Iranian-laid mines from the Strait of Hormuz, and noted such operations are unlikely to start before the US war with Iran ends, raising the risk of prolonged pressure on global oil prices and shipping costs.

Trump declared on Truth Social, "We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy. It is "Sealed up Tight," until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter," and separately ordered US forces to target mine-laying craft.

In another post, Trump said: "I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine "sweepers" are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level! Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Israel-Iran war: Iran’s position on the truce, Hormuz tolls and tanker interceptions

Iranian officials said they have not agreed to extend the truce and criticised Washington for keeping the naval blockade, with parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arguing that "A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated through a naval blockade" and warning that reopening Hormuz during such "blatant violation" is impossible.

Another senior parliament figure, Hamidreza Hajibabaei, told Tasnim that Tehran has already received its first income from tolls imposed on commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian forces seized two ships, including the MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, accusing them of crossing without permits, and the US military said it has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters.

The US Central Command said on X that the Iranian-flagged supertanker Dorena, loaded with two million barrels of crude, was intercepted and is under escort by a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean, while Panama’s foreign ministry condemned Iran’s seizure of "MSC Francesca" as "illegal" and a "serious threat to maritime security" for a vessel sailing under the Panamanian flag.

Israel-Iran war: Ceasefire diplomacy, Pakistan role and UN, US reactions

Trump has agreed, at Pakistan’s request, to delay further attacks on Iran while Islamabad seeks a second round of talks, with minister Mohsin Naqvi telling US Charge d'Affaires Natalie Baker that extending the ceasefire is a "welcome development" and saying, "It is hoped that both parties will give a chance to a diplomatic and peaceful solution."

The White House said Trump has not set a deadline for Tehran’s proposal, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt telling reporters that discussions can continue "one way or the other," while also warning, "We all see a lot of different messaging and rhetoric coming out of Iran — and I would caution you against taking anything they say at face value."

Leavitt added that despite the truce, "Despite the ceasefire, Operation Economic Fury continues, and we are completely strangling Iran's economy; the blockade continues, they are losing $500 million per day," arguing the United States retains leverage as Iran loses "economically and financially every single moment" under the restrictions.

Trump separately claimed deep divisions in Iran’s leadership, saying on Truth Social, "Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don't know! The infighting is between the 'Hardliners,' who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the 'Moderates,' who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY!"