Lebanon

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

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

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

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 ...

Trump Signals Imminent Iran Deal Amid Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire

United States President Donald Trump said he was confident that an agreement to end the conflict involving Iran could be reached soon, as a 10-day truce between Lebanon and Israel came into effect. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump urged Iran-backed Hezbollah to maintain the ceasefire, expressing optimism about ongoing ...

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 ...

Turkey Hosts Latest Diplomatic Push on Middle East War

Turkey hosts a high-stakes forum Friday bringing together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as Islamabad pushes diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East war. Pakistan's powerful army chief met senior negotiators in Tehran on Thursday as Washington and Iran considered a fresh round of talks to end the six-week ...

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

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

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

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 ...