Lebanon

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Blames U.S. Blockade
Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Blames U.S. Blockade

Iran on Saturday closed the Strait of Hormuz again after briefly reopening it, saying the move is a response to the ongoing US naval blockade. Tehran accused Washington of breaking its commitments and warned that traffic through the strait will remain restricted until the blockade is lifted. The potential for the resumption of transit had lifted ...

From War To Business Suits: What Peace with Israel Could Mean for Lebanon's Economy
AnalysisFrom War To Business Suits: What Peace with Israel Could Mean for Lebanon's Economy

As Lebanese and Israeli officials met face to face in Washington for the first time in decades, the war with Hezbollah dominated headlines, but the prospect of future economic ties between Jerusalem and Beirut came into view. Following the meeting, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter brought up the potential windfalls of peace. “The ...

Leaders Signal Next Phase for Lebanon
Leaders Signal Next Phase for Lebanon

A tentative shift began to take shape today as Presidents Donald Trump, Joseph Aoun, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed their visions for what comes next in Lebanon following the announcement of a ceasefire and the launch of direct talks. While the pause in fighting has created space for diplomacy, each leader made clear that the ...

Amal Leader Condemns Gunfire in Beirut
Amal Leader Condemns Gunfire in Beirut

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, leader of Lebanon’s Amal party, voiced support on Friday for national unity, condemning incidents of celebratory gunfire in Beirut last night as the Shia political community navigates its first day of the ceasefire since March 2. Berri said that indiscriminate gunfire in the capital was ...

Lebanese Voices Optimistic About Direct Talks With Israel
VideosLebanese Voices Optimistic About Direct Talks With Israel

Following the direct negotiations that took place on April 14, the first high-level, U.S.-mediated talks between Lebanese and Israeli representatives since 1993, This Is Beirut spoke to residents on the ground to understand their views on the discussions and what they hope comes next. Many expressed support for direct negotiations, saying they ...

Hundreds Return South After Ceasefire Despite Lebanese-Israeli Warnings
Hundreds Return South After Ceasefire Despite Lebanese-Israeli Warnings

Early reactions to the ceasefire in Lebanon were chaotic, with celebrations in the capital and a large number returning to the south over the Litani river, despite Israeli and Lebanese warnings to the contrary. After fragile ceasefire took effect at midnight April 16-17, celebratory small arms and RPG fire was reported throughout the southern ...

10-Day Ceasefire on Lebanon-Israel Front Takes Effect
10-Day Ceasefire on Lebanon-Israel Front Takes Effect

At 5pm EST on Thursday, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the United States, went into effect. Immediately following its start, intense gunfire has been reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley, according to Lebanese media. Earlier on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth ...

Trump Signals Push for Broader Middle East Deal After Announcing 10-Day Israel–Hezbollah Ceasefire
Trump Signals Push for Broader Middle East Deal After Announcing 10-Day Israel–Hezbollah Ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in a series of Truth Social posts set to take effect at 5 p.m. EST, following what he described as “excellent conversations” with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump presented the deal as an initial step ...

Trump Announces Temporary Ceasefire in Lebanon
Trump Announces Temporary Ceasefire in Lebanon

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, set to take effect at 5 p.m. EST, following what he described as “excellent conversations” with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Trump, both leaders agreed the temporary ...

Lebanon Reclaims its Diplomacy from Hezbollah
Op-edLebanon Reclaims its Diplomacy from Hezbollah

The April 14 diplomatic meeting between Lebanon and Israel in Washington signals, however partially, a reassertion of Lebanese state authority over its own decision-making, while challenging Iranian influence in the country. Most significant is the fact that the meeting took place at all, a historic step given the ongoing war between Hezbollah and ...

Aoun Thanks U.S. for Ceasefire Efforts After Calls with Trump and Rubio
Aoun Thanks U.S. for Ceasefire Efforts After Calls with Trump and Rubio

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday thanked the United States for its efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon, following separate phone calls with President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to an official statement. Aoun received a call from Rubio earlier in the day, during which he expressed appreciation for ...