Rapid developments unfolded on Thursday in Beirut, as US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon following a phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Trump said the ceasefire would begin at 05:00 Eastern Time, corresponding to midnight in Cyprus.
At the same time, efforts are under way to reach a temporary agreement between the United States and Iran, although disagreements remain, particularly over the nuclear issue, according to Iranian sources.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that pressure on Tehran would continue, saying the blockade would remain in place and strikes on infrastructure and energy targets would persist if Iran does not “choose wisely”.
Talks in Tehran
Talks are also taking place in Tehran on Thursday involving Iranian officials and Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, with discussions focusing on a message being conveyed by Washington to Iran through Islamabad in an effort to restart negotiations.
A senior Iranian official said there has been progress in talks between Iran and the United States on ending the war, though significant differences remain, including over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
According to the same official, Munir’s visit to Tehran helped ease differences in some areas, raising hopes for a longer ceasefire and renewed talks between Tehran and Washington.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had held talks with Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that the two sides had agreed to the ceasefire: