Trump says Israel and Lebanon agree to extend ceasefire by 3 weeks
No immediate response from President Trump after Iran reversed course overnight, announcing that it would be reinstating restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz. Of course, just yesterday, President Trump had celebrated the opening of that critical shipping route, but said, notably that an American blockade on Iranian ports would remain in full force until *** broader deal is reached that includes dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. Iran this morning saying it will maintain these restrictions on the strait until that US blockade ends. The brief opening of the waterway on Friday though did allow tankers to start resuming shipments that sent oil prices plunging. Of course, the whiplash this morning once again injecting uncertainty into the global economy. Before these developments, President Trump told reporters that *** longer term peace deal with Iran he felt was within reach. He said few differences remained, but he also did not commit to extending the current ceasefire agreement that’s due to expire on Wednesday. Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain. But maybe I won’t extend it, so you have *** blockade, and unfortunately we’ll have to start dropping bombs again. That blockade is designed to strangle Iran’s economy and apply pressure in peace talks. President Trump has said that negotiations with Iran could continue this weekend. Reporting at the White House, I’m Jackie DeFusco.
By MATTHEW LEE and BASSEM MROUE Associated Press
President Donald Trump says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks after talks at the White House on Thursday.Trump says the meeting between Israel’s and Lebanon’s ambassadors to the United States went “very well.” The meeting was the second high-level negotiation between the two countries since last week.The initial 10-day ceasefire, which took effect last Friday, had been due to expire Monday.This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
WASHINGTON —
President Donald Trump says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks after talks at the White House on Thursday.
Trump says the meeting between Israel’s and Lebanon’s ambassadors to the United States went “very well.” The meeting was the second high-level negotiation between the two countries since last week.
The initial 10-day ceasefire, which took effect last Friday, had been due to expire Monday.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.