US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire following discussions between the two countries, held for the first time in 34 years, aimed at easing tensions in the region.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had held “excellent conversations” with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that both leaders had agreed to halt hostilities.
“These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST,” Trump said.
He added that representatives from both sides had recently met in Washington, marking their first such engagement in over three decades. “On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio,” he said.
Trump also said he had directed senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, to work with both nations towards a longer-term resolution.
“I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE,” he said.
Trump further said that he had previously stopped over nine wars across the world, and that this would be his 10th: “It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE.”
In a separate post, Trump said he would invite Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for further discussions. “I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago,” he said.
“Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!” he added.
Thousands have been killed, largely in Iran and Lebanon, since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28. Iran retaliated to the strikes, and later tensions spread across the region after Hezbollah’s involvement to the conflict.
The conflict has also unsettled global markets. Energy prices surged after Iran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route that carries around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply. The disruption led to a sharp oil price spike, prompting the International Monetary Fund to lower its global growth outlook and warn that a prolonged crisis could push the world economy towards recession.
At the same time, diplomatic efforts have gathered pace. A temporary two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States remains in place, with signs of progress emerging through backchannel talks.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that military action could resume if negotiations fail. “We are reloading with more power than ever before, and better intelligence,” he said, adding, “We are locked and loaded… We’d rather not have to do it.”
Despite the warning, reports suggested a potential agreement may be within reach. Washington, as per a report by Reuters, is said to be considering sanctions relief and the unfreezing of Iranian assets as part of a deal, while Iran has linked reopening the Strait of Hormuz to a permanent ceasefire backed by United Nations guarantees against future attacks.
Markets have responded to the possibility of a breakthrough, with global equities hitting record highs in recent sessions. However, oil prices remain volatile, reflecting continued uncertainty over the ceasefire and the status of the strait.
Iran’s nuclear programme continues to be a central sticking point. The United States has proposed a long-term suspension of Iran’s nuclear activity, while Tehran has pushed for a shorter pause and the removal of sanctions. There are also indications of a possible compromise on highly enriched uranium stockpiles, with Iran considering exporting part of its reserves, a shift from its earlier position.
