US President Donald Trump has announced a three-week extension to the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, as renewed diplomatic talks take place alongside continued violence in the region.
Israel and Lebanon recently held another round of discussions in Washington, with Beirut reportedly seeking a further one-month extension to the truce. Trump described the talks as having “went very well”.
Despite ceasefire efforts, sporadic clashes have continued. Lebanese officials accused Israel of committing a war crime following the death of a journalist in an air strike in southern Lebanon. Separate Israeli strikes reportedly killed three people in a southern Lebanese village, according to the country’s health ministry.
The Israel Defense Forces said it intercepted missiles launched from Lebanon towards northern Israel, highlighting the fragile nature of the agreement.
Trump also commented on internal tensions in Iran, claiming the country’s leadership was “fighting like cats and dogs”. His remarks came shortly after Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei accused “enemy” media outlets of attempting to weaken national unity.
The US President again dismissed the prospect of nuclear action against Iran, responding “No” when asked if he would consider deploying nuclear weapons.
“Why would a stupid question like that be asked? Why would I use a nuclear weapon?” Trump said, adding that the US had already “decimated” Iran without using nuclear force.
Elsewhere, American forces reportedly boarded a vessel in the Indian Ocean linked to Iranian oil shipments, amid ongoing scrutiny of sanctions enforcement.
Trump also said he had instructed the US Navy to take decisive action against vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
“There is to be no hesitation,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Source: The Advertiser
