US-Israel-Iran War | Iran Says Strait Of Hormuz 'Completely Open'; Trump Welcomes The Move, Announces US Blockade Will Remain In Place

Oil prices dropped more than 10% Friday, and US stocks raced toward another record after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is open again for commercial tankers carrying oil from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.

The S&P 500 leaped 1.2% as Wall Street rallied to the finish of a third straight week of big gains, its longest streak since Halloween. A freer flow of oil would take pressure off prices not only for gasoline but also for groceries and all kinds of other products that get moved by vehicles. It could even ultimately help people pay less on credit-card interest or mortgage bills. The Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly climbed 1,139 points and was up 942 points, or 1.9%, as of 2:05 p.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite was 1.4% higher

“The Iranians want to meet,” Trump said in a brief telephone interview with the news outlet Axios. “They want to make a deal. I think a meeting will probably take place over the weekend.”

An Israeli strike in the area of Kounine hit a car and a motorcycle, killing one person and wounding three, including a Syrian citizen, Lebanon’s health ministry said Friday. It was the first airstrike and first fatality reported since a 10-day truce between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah took effect overnight.

The Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon had reported sporadic artillery shelling in some parts of the south in the hours after the ceasefire took effect.

The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel has maintained that it still has the right to strike in Lebanon in response to perceived threats despite the ceasefire. There was no immediate response from Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon “at the request of my friend President Trump,” but said the campaign against Hezbollah is not yet complete.

Netanyahu claimed Israel had destroyed about “90%” of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket stockpiles, but added “we have not finished yet” with the dismantling of the group.

His statement came shortly before Trump said, in a social media post, that Israel was prohibited by the U.S. from bombing Lebanon any longer, adding: “Enough is enough!!!”

Two semiofficial news agencies in Iran are casting doubt on an earlier announcement from Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, that the Strait of Hormuz was being opened to global traffic.

Considered close to the powerful Revolutionary Guard, Fars news agency appeared to challenge Iran’s reported decision to open the strait in a series of posts on its X account.

The posts condemned a “strange silence from the Supreme National Security Council and the negotiating team.”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has recently acted as the de facto top decision-making body in the country, as doubts swirl over the status of the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reportedly injured early in the war.

Mehr news agency also has said that the reported decision to reopen the strategic waterway needed “clarification” and “requires the (Supreme) Leader’s approval.”

According to Iran's Tasnim Media, a source close to the National Security Council stated that all ships must pass through the routes designated by Iran and also said, "If the naval blockade continues, it will be considered a violation of the ceasefire, and the passage route in the strait will be closed."

UK PM Starmer said on X that it is 'good news that the Strait of Hormuz has now reopened' and added, "This must be a long-lasting and workable solution, without tolls or restrictions on routes. Today, we announced our joint plan with France and other international partners to protect freedom of navigation. We need to see a return to peace and stability, and a permanent ceasefire."

“The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear ‘Dust,’ created by our great B2 Bombers - No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form,” Trump said in a social media post.

“Nuclear dust” is shorthand that Trump frequently uses to refer to the highly-enriched uranium believed to be buried under nuclear sites that the U.S. bombed during last year’s 12-day war between Israel and Iran.

If true, it would be a major concession from Iran and would lock in a key U.S. demand to end the conflict. But neither Iran nor countries acting as intermediaries in the conflict have said that Tehran has made such an agreement.

Trump on Thursday also asserted that Iran has “agreed to give us back the nuclear dust.”

An Israeli military spokesperson stated on X that the IDF struck Iran in an 'unprecedented form' and 'achieved all the announced objectives of the operation'.

He stated that the objectives include killing 28 commanders, destruction of 250 air defence systems, removal of 60% of ballistic missile launch platforms, apart from striking 4000 targets in Iran, adding that the IDF formations 'remain at full readiness on both defensive and offensive levels to resume combat and renew attacks if necessity so requires.'

Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran has agreed to 'never close the Strait of Hormuz again'. He also said "It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World!"

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated on X that he welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel & Lebanon, and commended 'the role of the US in facilitating it.'

Lee Jae Myung, the President of South Korea, stated that he attended the virtual summit on the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

"The Republic of Korea is a key stakeholder that relies on the Strait of Hormuz for approximately 70% of its crude oil imports. Ensuring the stability of the waters in question and the freedom of navigation is a critical issue directly tied to our economy and the daily lives of our people.As a globally responsible nation, we will continue to play a responsible role in upholding freedom of navigation in the strait based on international law. Additionally, we plan to actively explore ways to enhance diplomatic and military cooperation in preparation for any changes in the situation ahead. We will proactively join the international community's efforts to uphold the principle of free international passage and stabilize global supply chains, doing our utmost to ensure that the daily lives of our people remain unshaken," he stated on X.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday urged the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran declared that the key shipping route would be open as long as a ceasefire in the Middle East lasts.

"We welcome the announcement," Macron said after a meeting of heads of state and government mainly by video conference, adding the leaders urged the "full, unconditional reopening by all the parties" of the Strait of Hormuz.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also hailed the announcement, which was made on X by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during their meeting, but added: "We need to make sure that it is lasting and a workable proposal."

U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum in the Turkish resort city of Antalya.

In a statement, Sharif’s office said Massad Boulos conveyed Trump’s greetings to the prime minister and “appreciated Pakistan’s constructive contributions to regional stability.”

“The two sides also discussed current regional developments, including Pakistan’s peace efforts that led to the ceasefire, as well as the historic Islamabad talks,” the statement said.

U.S. Central Command said in a post on the social platform X on Friday that zero vessels have evaded American naval forces during the blockade of Iran-linked ships, and 19 vessels “complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return to Iran.”

The post from Central Command came shortly before Trump thanked Iran for opening up the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump said was “completely open and ready for business.”

Trump, however, stressed that the blockade against Iranian shipping outside the Strait of Hormuz was still in place until negotiations were complete.

The narrow passage way in the Persian Gulf was effectively closed by Iran during the war with the U.S. and Israel, cutting off the flow of oil and natural gas through the gulf.

The number of people killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon has increased to 2,294, since 2 March when fighting started between Hezbollah and Israel.

7,544 have been injured, the Lebanese health ministry said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday it would be "desirable" to have US participation in any possible mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking alongside leaders from the UK, France and Italy after a meeting in Paris, Merz said Germany would "take part in the further military planning discussions that are taking place, and we would also welcome, if possible, the participation of the United States of America".

Trump stated on Truth Social that Iran, with the help of the USA, 'has removed or is removing all sea mines!'. He thanked Pakistan PM and military chief, calling them 'two fantastic people', apart from thanking Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar for their 'bravery', calling it a 'great and brilliant day for the world'.

France and the UK will lead a multinational mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as "soon as conditions allow", UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday after co-chairing a meeting on the issue with French President Emmanuel Macron.

"This will be strictly peaceful and defensive as a mission to reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance," said Starmer, adding that "over a dozen countries have already offered to contribute assets".

"At the request of my friend President Trump, with whom we changed the Middle East and achieved tremendous accomplishments, we agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon. At his request, we are giving an opportunity to advance a combined political and military solution with the Lebanese government," stated Netanyahu.

"Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL. They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!" stated Trump on X.

President Donald Trump said Friday the United States had "prohibited" Israel from bombing Lebanon following a ceasefire deal, adding that Washington would work with Lebanon to "deal with" Hezbollah.

"Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!" Trump said on his Truth Social network, a day after announcing the 10-day truce.

EU Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas stated on X that 'any pay-for-passage scheme will set a dangerous precedent for global maritime routes. Iran has to abandon any plan to levy transit fees.'

Kalls also stated, "Under international law, transit through waterways like the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and free of charge. This is what leaders made clear in their call on reopening the Strait today."

Wall Street stocks rose early Friday, joining European markets in rallying after Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz sent oil prices plunging.

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz will remain "completely open" as long as a ceasefire in the Middle East lasts, addressing a supply disruption that had pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel and sparked recession worries.

About 10 minutes into trading, the broad-based S&P 500 was up 0.8 per cent at 7,098.05.

Trump stated on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open and 'ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran.' He also stated that it will be until such time as "our (US's) transaction with Iran is 100% complete" and added that this process should go very quickly, as most of the points are already negotiated.

US intelligence says China considered giving Iran advanced radar systems early in its conflict with the US and Israel.

The systems could improve Iran’s ability to detect drones and missiles. It’s unclear if any transfer happened, reported CBS News.

US President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed Iran's announcement that the crucial Strait of Hormuz will be open to shipping for the duration of a ceasefire.

"THANK YOU!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, saying that Iran had announced the narrow waterway was "FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE."

Oil prices plunged on Friday after Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the vital Strait of Hormuz was "completely open" for commercial tankers and cargo ships during the US-Iran ceasefire.

International benchmark Brent North Sea crude plunged 10 per cent to $89.11 a barrel, after earlier falling five per cent on US-Iran peace deal hopes.

The main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, shed 11 per cent to $84.11 a barrel.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made the offer to store Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium and “the Russian side is open to that,” but “the proposal currently isn’t on the negotiating table.”

“Now this proposal isn’t in demand on the U.S. side,” Peskov told reporters.

According to American Axios media, the US and Iran are in talks for the US to release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran giving its stock of enriched uranium.

Iranian FM Seyed Araghchi stated on X that the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire. But he also stated that it is "on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran."

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said his country will offer a passive surveillance system to aid international effort to reopen the blocked Strait of Hormuz.

Dozens of countries are expected to take part in a conference on Friday, organised by the leaders of France and the U.K., and meant to provide security for shipping through the key waterway.

Babiš said the system can be used when a ceasefire in the war between the U.S. and Israel against Iran is in place or when the conflict is over.

The Czech-made passive radar systems don’t emit electromagnetic energy, which makes them difficult to detect.

Tilak Pokharel, a spokesperson for the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon known as UNIFIL, said peacekeepers have not observed any airstrikes since midnight, when a 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah took effect.

He said, however, that they had observed “artillery shelling in several areas in south Lebanon” up until 6 a.m. and “continue to observe

IDF airspace violation in their area of operations,” referring to the Israeli military.

He added that they have observed Israeli forces moving back and forth, but “no withdrawal.”

“They are remaining in positions, including in Bint Jbeil,” Pokharel said, referring to a village about 5 km (3 miles) from the border where heavy fighting had taken place before the ceasefire.

Israel Katz said Israeli forces would continue to hold all the places they are currently stationed, including a buffer zone extending 10 kilometres (6 miles) from the border with Israel into southern Lebanon. He added that many homes in the area would be destroyed, and no Lebanese residents could return to the area.

Katz said the rest of Lebanon south of the Litani River must also be cleared of Hezbollah’s presence, either through diplomatic means or continued Israeli military operation.

“Disarming Hezbollah by military or diplomatic means was and remains the goal of the campaign to which we are committed, with significant political leverage now also due to the direct involvement of the U.S. president and his commitment to this goal, while applying pressure to the Lebanese government,” Katz said. Israel occupied a similar area in southern Lebanon between 1982 and 2000.

Three Iranian oil tankers carrying five million barrels of crude have become the first such loaded vessels to leave the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz since a US blockade came into force, tracking firm Kpler told AFP on Friday.

The Deep Sea, Sonia I and Diona, all under US sanctions, traversed the strategic strait on Wednesday after leaving Iran's Kharg Island, having loaded on April 2, 8 and 9 respectively, according to the maritime data company.

Moscow on Friday backed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon and said it hoped the pause in fighting could pave the way for a longer-term agreement, as the fragile 10-day truce took hold.

"We certainly welcome the decision on a truce and hope that in these few days it will indeed be possible to reach agreements that will prevent a repeat of the military clashes," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, in response to a question by AFP.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that direct negotiations with Israel were crucial, a day after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between the two countries and an upcoming meeting between their leaders.

"Direct negotiations are crucial... and a ceasefire is the gateway to proceeding with negotiations," Aoun said in a statement shared by the presidency, reiterating that Beirut's goal was to "consolidate a ceasefire, secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied southern territories, recover prisoners, and address outstanding border disputes".

Details of the truce agreement shared by the US State Department did not mention the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.

Israeli strikes on Tyre in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people just before the 10-day ceasefire with Israel took effect at midnight, a city official said on Friday.

The official, who asked not to be identified, said another 35 people were injured, and emergency workers were still searching the rubble for another "15 missing".

The strikes targeted six residential buildings, which were destroyed, and came just minutes before midnight (2100 GMT Thursday), an AFP correspondent said.

Israel's defence minister said on Friday that the campaign against the militant group Hezbollah was not yet complete, just hours after a 10-day ceasefire came into force in Lebanon.

"The ground manoeuver into Lebanon and the strikes on Hezbollah have achieved many gains, but they are still not complete," Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a broadcast statement. (AFP)

Israel warned Friday that thousands of displaced Lebanese civilians returning home as a 10-day ceasefire took hold could once again face evacuation from the war-torn south if fighting resumed.

"If the fighting resumes, those residents who return to the security zone will have to be evacuated to allow completion of the mission," Defence Minister Israel Katz said, warning that the military had not yet completed its operations against Hezbollah. (AFP)

Hassan Fadlallah, a senior Hezbollah lawmaker, praised Iran as he spoke to reporters in the battered southern Beirut suburb.

“Yesterday, before the ceasefire, Hezbollah’s leadership was formally informed around 4 am from the Iranian ambassador that there would be a ceasefire at night,” he said. “We were informed by the Islamic Republic that the calls they took with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were encouraging and facilitating a ceasefire as the first step.”

Fadlallah said that the militant group’s key positions — a complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli troops, a return of all Lebanese displaced people, releasing prisoners held by Israel and reconstruction — have not changed. (AP)

Iran's Tasnim Media stated that there has been progress in 'unofficial diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington'. It also reported that an anticipated meeting between the two countries can result in an MoU followed by a 'comprehensive deal within 60 days'.

Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy to Syria and ambassador to Turkey, told a diplomacy conference Friday that the “brilliance” of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire in Lebanon was that it ended “senseless killing.”

“The brilliance of what happened yesterday is it stopped senseless killing and President Trump and Secretary Rubio stepping in strongly and saying we need a time out,” Barrack said at the conference in Antalya, southern Turkey.

“This is just the beginning of a road and the ceasefires are so delicate because everybody’s been equally untrustworthy,” he said.

“Everybody is in atrophy over this idiotic war. So will the ceasefire stick? What will we do? It’s baby steps,” Barrack said. (AP)

Iranian Parliamentarian, Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, has said that the current agreement with US "is a prelude to normalizing relations."

"Many countries have been in conflict with America, and we are not separate from the world. The Vietnamese fought for 6 years. The Koreans fought with America for 3 years. America has fought with many countries and then established relations," he said, per Iranian media.
"Trump has sent a message that he must achieve a victory in this agreement and leave so that his prestige is not broken, and this gives us a good concession that the Strait of Hormuz will be in the hands of us and our children in the future," he added.

Ardestani, who is a member of the Parliament's National Security Commission further stated: "We will preserve the right to enrichment. We can easily sell our oil and the sanctions will be lifted, and if the sanctions are not lifted, we will start the same game in the Strait of Hormuz and with countries, and a tool for pressure will emerge."

Thousands of displaced residents in south Lebanon began returning home following the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire with Israel, which has largely held since midnight. The truce ended weeks of massive fighting triggered by exchange of rocket attacks between Hezbollah and Israel’s military.

Amid the peace, many returnees faced uncertainty over the condition of their homes, damaged or destroyed during the conflict that claimed over 2,100 lives and displaced more than a million people. But families expressed relief and determination to rebuild their lives (Agencies)

The International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol has warned that "a prolonged closure” of the Strait of Hormuz will spike energy prices, Al Jazeera reported.
Birol said the "market is underestimating the consequences" Hormuz closure and there had been no new deliveries of oil, gas or fuels to Asian markets, with supply gaps now starting to emerge.

He warned that poorer countries could be hit hardest because of weaker currencies and more limited financial resources.

"Shortages of refined products such as kerosene and diesel could emerge if crude oil cannot reach refineries, potentially causing flight disruptions, cancellations and industrial supply problems in some countries," he added.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said Friday that it was keeping its "finger on the trigger" in case of any Israeli violations of a ceasefire that went into effect overnight.

In a statement, the Iran-backed movement said it had carried out "2,184 military operations" against Israel and its troops inside Lebanon, adding: "The fighters will keep their finger on the trigger because they are wary of the enemy's treachery." (AFP)

Iran's foreign ministry welcomed the Israel-Lebanon truce, calling it part of the earlier two-week ceasefire deal struck between the Islamic republic and the United States to pause the Middle East war, state media reported.

Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei "welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire in Lebanon and noted that the cessation of the war in Lebanon was part of the ceasefire understanding between Iran and the United States, mediated by Pakistan", state news agency IRNA posted on Telegram. (AFP)

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday welcomed a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and expressed hoped that the move will pave the way for sustainable peace in the region.

Taking to social medial platform X, Sharif hailed the role of US President Donald Trump for facilitating the ceasefire. “Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and will continue to support all efforts aimed at lasting peace in the region,” Sharif said.

A day earlier, Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire starting on Thursday following Tuesday's US-mediated talks in Washington, DC.

The leaders of France and the U.K. will gather dozens of countries — but not the United States — on Friday to push forward plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route choked off by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

The Paris meeting is part of attempts by sidelined nations to ease the impact of a conflict they didn't start and haven't joined, but that has sent the global economy reeling. After the war started on Feb. 28, Iran effectively shut the narrow strait through which a fifth of the world's oil usually passes.

The U.S. is not part of the planning for what has been branded the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative. In a post on X ahead of Friday's conference, French President Emmanuel Macron said the mission to provide security for shipping through the strait would be "strictly defensive," limited to non-belligerent countries and deployed "when security conditions allow." Read more...

Sri Lanka is among the worst-impacted countries in the Asia-Pacific due to the ripple effects of the West Asia crisis, a UN report said. The report published by the United Nations Development Programme, released on Thursday, provides a preliminary assessment on how the ongoing conflict is destabilising global trade, energy markets, and financial systems.

The report titled "Military escalation in the Middle East: Human Development Impacts Across Asia and the Pacific" shows that Sri Lanka is highly exposed, as 80.2 per cent of migrant-worker departures from the island nation in 2025 were to the Middle East, the report says. Sri Lanka is among the worst-impacted countries in the Asia-Pacific due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the UN report said. Read more...

Tens of thousands of displaced Lebanese began returning early Friday to southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs after a ceasefire with Israel took effect at midnight, Anadolu reported. The news agency reported heavy movement of displaced people from areas north of Beirut toward the southern suburbs, with severe traffic congestion on roads leading into the area.

Significant traffic was also recorded on highways stretching from Beirut and Mount Lebanon toward southern regions, particularly along the coastal road to the cities of Sidon and Tyre, the report said.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said he was concerned that a ceasefire between militant group Hezbollah and Israel "may already be undermined by ongoing military operations."

"I call for the safety of civilians on both sides of the border between Lebanon and Israel," he said on X. "Hezbollah must lay down its arms. Israel must respect Lebanese sovereignty and end the war," he added. A 10-day ceasefire agreed between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight local time.

Saudi Arabia pushed the US to prioritise securing a ceasefire in Lebanon in order to sustain talks with Iran, as the kingdom shifts to mediation efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Middle East Eye reported, quoting multiple US, Western, and Arab officials.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pressed US President Donald Trump on the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon in a private phone call on Wednesday, the Arab and Western officials told MEE. Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire on Thursday afternoon, which several of the officials attributed to the kingdom’s lobbying.

A South Korean-flagged tanker carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port has safely exited the Red Sea, South Korean officials said. The passage marks the country’s first such shipment since it began seeking alternative energy routes, while Iran is largely blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday described the passage as a “valuable accomplishment” during the government’s efforts to overcome challenges posed by the war. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries did not immediately say how many tankers would attempt to use the Red Sea route or when the vessel that passed would arrive in South Korea. Officials say 26 of South Korea’s vessels remain stranded in the strait. (AP).

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the ceasefire in Lebanon and reiterated the kingdom’s support for the Lebanese state and its sovereignty as well as “restricting arms to the state and its legitimate institutions”.

US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken with the United Kingdom Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper to discuss next steps regarding the ceasefire with Iran, Al Jazeera reported.

The two sides discussed the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz so that commercial vessels can move freely through the strait and energy supplies can reach global markets. The ceasefire agreed between Washington and Tehran is due to expire on April 22.

Yair Lapid has slammed the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel announced by US President Trump earlier. “Not for the first time, all the promises of this government are crashing against the ground of reality. The confrontation in Lebanon can only end in one way: the permanent removal of the threat to the northern settlements,” Lapid said in a post on X.

“In this government, it will no longer happen; we will do it in the next government,” he said.

BP has become a fifth company to strike a deal with the Australian government to underwrite fuel imports at prices inflated by the Iran war.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the BP deal on Friday at Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery, southwest of Melbourne, that was damaged by fire over Wednesday night. Viva on Thursday secured 570,000 barrels of diesel underwritten by the government in shipments from Brunei and South Korea at prices that might otherwise be commercially unviable.

Albanese said the damaged Geelong refinery continued to produce diesel and jet fuel at 80% capacity and gasoline as 60% capacity. Viva chief executive Scott Wyatt expected to import fuel to make up for the shortfall in the refinery’s production. Australia has sufficient fuel supplies contracted into May, but there are concerns that shortages could emerge in the months ahead. (AP).

In two social media posts Thursday night, US President Donald Trump said that Thursday could have been “a historic day for Lebanon.” In a separate Truth Social message after the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon went into effect, Trump added that he hoped the Lebanon-based, Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group “acts nicely and well.” “It will be an GREAT moment for them if they do,” Trump added.

The Lebanese militant group called on people to exercise restraint and refrain from returning to areas in south and eastern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs that have been hit hard by Israeli strikes “until the situation becomes fully clear.” The Lebanese army issued similar warnings, urging people not to rush back to those areas after the 10-day ceasefire kicks in at midnight Beirut time.

Previous ceasefires saw tens of thousands of people clogging roads as they attempted to drive back to check on homes and belongings in the first hours of the truce. More than 1 million Lebanese people have been displaced during the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the "steadfastness" of the Iranian people compelled US-Israeli forces to retreat during the "40-day war", according to Iranian state media Press TV.
According to Press TV, speaking at a meeting with the minister, deputies, and senior managers at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance on Thursday, Pezeshkian stressed the importance of accurately presenting the realities and achievements of the period.

The president highlighted the need for effective storytelling to convey the events of the conflict, noting the "diverse and creative methods to properly reflect national accomplishments," according to Press TV. He said, "During this war, powers with extensive claims and prestige stood against the Iranian nation, but the people's steadfastness caused these currents to inevitably retreat. This is a significant and strategic achievement for the country."

India's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Harish P, on Thursday raised serious concerns over threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, urging immediate restoration of safe navigation while calling for restraint and de-escalation amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Delivering India's statement at the UN General Assembly debate under the Veto Initiative on "The Situation in the Middle East," Harish P stressed that maritime security remains critical for India's energy and economic interests.

"An aspect of particular concern for India, for its energy and economic security, relates to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. India has deplored the fact that commercial shipping was made a target of military attacks in this conflict," he said. Highlighting the human cost of the conflict, Harish P noted that Indian nationals have been among the victims. "The precious lives of Indian seafarers aboard ships have been lost during the course of the conflict," he added.

India strongly condemned attacks on civilian maritime activity and called for adherence to international norms. "We reiterate that the targeting of commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members or otherwise impeding the freedom of navigation and commerce in the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptable," he said.

The president asserted in an exchange with reporters before departing for an event in Las Vegas on Thursday. If true, it would be a major concession by Iran and would lock in a key U.S. demand to end the conflict.

“They’ve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust that’s way underground because of the attack we made with the B-2 bombers,” said Trump, using a term he’s adopted as shorthand for the roughly 970 pounds of enriched uranium buried under Iranian nuclear sites damaged by U.S. strikes on the country last year.

Iran has repeatedly insisted that it doesn’t seek nuclear weapons and that its program is for peaceful purposes. Neither Iran nor countries acting as intermediaries in the conflict have talked about what would be a major breakthrough. Pressed by a reporter on what he was waiting for to move forward, Trump said it was “very complicated.”

He added, “I don’t think we’re waiting. I think we’re moving very fast. It could happen pretty quickly.”

The White House did not respond to follow-up queries about whether Iran has agreed to give up its enriched uranium, under what terms and to whom it would be surrendered. Trump has previously made claims about Iran’s nuclear program that have turned out to be imprecise.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hopes the ceasefire will pave the way for negotiations toward a long-term solution to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Guterres also commended the United States for facilitating the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. The secretary-general reaffirmec UN support for all efforts to end hostilities and the suffering of people on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border.

The U.S. military has widened its efforts beyond the blockade of Iran's ports to allow its forces around the world to stop any ship tied to Tehran or those suspected of carrying supplies that could help its government, from weapons to oil, metals and electronics.

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, specifically pointed to operations in the Pacific, saying the U.S. would be targeting vessels that left before the blockade began earlier this week outside the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for energy and other shipments.

U.S. forces in other areas of responsibility “will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran,” he told reporters at the Pentagon. Read more...

Calling the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon a result of Hezbollah's steadfastness, the Iranian parliament speaker, MB Ghalibaf, on Friday said that his country will deal with the truce with caution. In a post on X, he wrote, " As I said last night as well, the ceasefire was nothing but a result of Hezbollah's steadfastness and the unity of the Axis of Resistance; and we will deal with this ceasefire with caution, and we will remain together until the full realization of victory. I thank the mediating efforts of the State of Pakistan and General Asim Munir for endorsing this ceasefire. We are true to our pledge..."

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said the Islamic Republic welcomes and supports diplomatic efforts to bring a “sustainable end to this unlawful and unwarranted war,” including by Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China and Russia.

“Despite our deep mistrust of the United States, stemming from its repeated betrayal of diplomacy, we nevertheless enter the negotiation in good faith and remain cautiously optimistic,” he told the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday.

“We believe that should the United States adopt a rational and constructive approach and refrain from advancing demands that are inconsistent with international law, this negotiation can lead to a meaningful outcome,” Iravani said. He spoke at an assembly meeting in support of vetoes by Beijing and Moscow of a U.N. Security Council resolution backed by the U.S. and Gulf nations aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz.

The president said in a Las Vegas speech he was feeling pretty positive about the Iran war, despite the energy price spikes, the death and destruction and the anxiety about the future of NATO and the Middle East.

“I will say the war in Iran is going along swimmingly,” Trump said. “It should be ending pretty soon.” Trump added that the war was “was perfect” as he praised the power of the U.S. military. (AP).

The president once again claimed progress is being made in talks with Iran and suggested he could be involved in the signing of a peace agreement, if one is reached.

“If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go,” said Trump, who heaped praise on Pakistani Prime Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistani Army Gen. Asim Munir for their role as mediators in the U.S.-Iran talks.

“The field marshal has been great. The prime minister has been really great in Pakistan, so I might go. They want me.” (AP).

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE’s president, said Gulf states have a different view of Iran, seeing it as the “main enemy”, citing its missile and drone attacks despite.

“We are fully aware of the position of many Arab societies in viewing Israel as the primary enemy, but the view in the Gulf states may be different... Iran is the one that attacked the Gulf states with thousands of missiles and drones, and for this reason, we do not trust it, and we view it as a primary enemy,” he said during a media briefing Thursday at Dubai Press Club.

Gargash added that the UAE has questions over Iran’s nuclear program as well as its ballistic missiles and drones, and said that just as Tehran is seeking guarantees and reparations for war damage, the UAE also wants assurances that such “cowardly” attacks will not happen again. (AP).

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he hopes militant group Hezbollah "acts nicely and well" during the 10-day ceasefire reached just hours earlier between Lebanon and Israel.

"I hope Hezbollah acts nicely and well during this important period of time," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform as he arrived for a speech in Las Vegas. "It will be (a) GREAT moment for them if they do. No more killing. Must finally have PEACE!"

Lebanon's army reported "acts of aggression" by Israel that it said violated a ceasefire which took effect at midnight Friday local time.

Lebanon's army in an X post early on Friday called on residents in the south to exercise caution "in light of a number of violations" of the ceasefire agreement by "several Israeli acts of aggression."