U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to begin a temporary ceasefire, presenting the move as a step toward easing tensions linked to the broader conflict involving Iran. Writing on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said the two countries would start a 10-day ceasefire beginning at 5 p.m. EST following discussions with Israeli and Lebanese leaders.
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“I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel,” Trump said in the post. He added that both sides had agreed to the temporary halt in fighting “in order to achieve peace between their countries.”
The announcement follows weeks of Israeli air strikes in Lebanon that have complicated U.S. diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions with Iran.
Questions Over Scope of Ceasefire
Details of the arrangement remain unclear, and it is uncertain how effective the agreement could be in halting the fighting.
Israel’s recent strikes have primarily targeted the militant group Hezbollah rather than Lebanese government forces. Because Hezbollah operates independently from the Lebanese state and the government has limited authority over the group, a ceasefire agreed with Beirut may not automatically end hostilities.
Trump said the United States would play a role in facilitating further negotiations between the two sides.
He said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine would be dispatched to help oversee continued talks.
Speaking to reporters later on Thursday, Trump said Israel and Lebanon “are going to take care of Hezbollah” and indicated that leaders from both countries could visit Washington in the coming days.
In a subsequent message, Trump said he planned to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House for a summit. Neither country’s embassy immediately commented on the proposal.
Link to Wider Iran Negotiations
The ceasefire announcement comes as Washington continues negotiations with Tehran over a broader regional settlement.
Israel’s continued strikes on Lebanon had become a point of tension in the talks between the United States and Iran, which are aimed at reducing hostilities across the Middle East.
Iran had previously said Lebanon should be included in the ceasefire framework it negotiated with Washington earlier this year. While the United States and Iran reached a temporary truce in early April, Israeli attacks in Beirut and other cities continued.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned last week that Israeli actions risked undermining diplomatic efforts, saying the United States would be responsible if negotiations collapsed.
Uncertain Path to Broader Deal
Trump has suggested that a wider agreement with Iran could be reached soon. Speaking on Fox Business on Wednesday, he said peace could come “very soon” if Iranian leaders acted “smart”.
However, recent negotiations have faced setbacks. Talks held in Pakistan last weekend broke down after Iran declined to commit to permanently abandoning efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
Trump said discussions with Tehran were still progressing and claimed Iran had offered assurances that it would not possess nuclear weapons for at least 20 years.
He said the next round of in-person talks could take place as early as this weekend and indicated he might travel to Pakistan to sign an agreement if one is reached.
Energy and Economic Pressures
The conflict has also had global economic consequences.
Earlier this year, Iran responded to a joint U.S.–Israeli military operation by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. The disruption triggered a sharp rise in oil and gas prices.
Trump has tied efforts to end the conflict to reopening the strategic waterway. When negotiations stalled over the weekend, he ordered a blockade of the strait.
The surge in energy prices has raised political concerns in the United States, with some Republicans warning it could affect voter sentiment ahead of the autumn midterm elections.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 17 April 2026
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