Trump extends Israel–Lebanon ceasefire as Strait of Hormuz incident heightens regional strain

Mintesinot Niggusie

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by three weeks following US-mediated talks at the White House, even as maritime tensions surged in the Gulf after Iranian forces were reported to have boarded commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump announced the extension on Thursday evening after a second round of diplomatic discussions involving Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Washington.

The truce, initially agreed on April 16, had been designed as a temporary pause in hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon frontier. The extension comes as part of ongoing US efforts to stabilise a volatile regional security environment that continues to be shaped by parallel diplomatic and military developments.

At the same time, Iranian state media released footage showing masked commandos boarding two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route. The incident has intensified concerns over maritime security in a corridor through which a large share of the world’s oil exports passes.

The government of the Philippines confirmed that 15 Filipino seafarers were aboard the vessels involved. Officials said the crew members were “safe and unharmed,” though they did not provide further details on their status or any ongoing diplomatic engagement.

The developments add pressure to already complex US-led diplomacy in the region, where Washington is simultaneously managing ceasefire arrangements in the Levant and rising tensions in the Gulf. Speaking in Washington, Trump said he wanted “to make the best deal possible” with Iran.

He added that he didn't want to rush, signalling continued preference for negotiations over immediate escalation. The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire remains a US-facilitated arrangement conducted through indirect channels, as the two sides do not maintain formal diplomatic relations.

The extension is intended to create additional space for talks aimed at preventing renewed escalation along the border.