Trump Signals Near‑End to US‑Iran War as 10‑Day Lebanon‑Israel Ceasefire Takes Hold

Celebrations erupted in Lebanon after a 10‑day ceasefire took effect, with the U.S. State Department noting that the pause opens a window for longer‑term negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese officials.

President Donald Trump declared that an agreement to end the war on Iran is "very close," hinting that the next round of talks could occur this weekend in Islamabad. Iran’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the truce, describing it as part of a broader effort with Washington to pause the regional conflict.

Tehran‑based analyst Abas Aslani acknowledged progress in the U.S.–Iran dialogue but warned that significant gaps remain, noting that both sides are preparing for either a negotiated settlement or a possible return to hostilities, while Trump appears to be seeking an “off‑ramp” from the war.

Trump also expressed hope that Hezbollah would "act nicely and well" during the truce and announced a White House invitation for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Speaking in Las Vegas, Trump dismissed warnings that the conflict could push oil prices to $300 a barrel, insisting that markets remain strong despite volatility and global fuel disruptions linked to the war.

Netanyahu hailed the ceasefire as an opportunity for a historic peace agreement with Beirut, but reiterated that the disarmament of Hezbollah remains a non‑negotiable precondition.

Hours before the truce began, an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Ghaziyeh killed at least seven civilians and wounded 33, intensifying Israeli public frustration over promises of a buffer zone in the north.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the ceasefire, arguing it fails to remove the threat to northern communities and pledging that any future government would adopt a tougher stance.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the truce, and Trump confirmed that the agreement also encompasses Iran‑backed Hezbollah.

Analyst Rami Khouri noted that Hezbollah is central to the ceasefire but operates “behind a curtain,” while residents in Sidon remain anxious as Israel demands Hezbollah’s disarmament yet refuses to withdraw, leaving the truce fragile and far from permanent.