West Asia Update: Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended, claims total control over Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was extended by another three weeks, citing positive talks between their envoys in Washington. He took to Truth Social -- a social media platform owned by one of Trump's companies -- to state that a meeting between high ranking representatives of Israel and Lebanon in the Oval Office "went very well". He was present in the meeting along with Vice President JD Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.

Trump wrote that the US "is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah". "I look forward in the near future to hosting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun. It was a Great Honor to be a participant at this very Historic Meeting!" he wrote on the platform, where he has been sharing crucial updates on the Middle East crisis.

Stating that the US will support Lebanon against Hezbollah, he said: "I think it will be a wonderful thing to get this worked out simultaneously with what we are doing in Iran."

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A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was originally set to expire on Sunday. The extended truce, though temporary, is set to halt more than seven weeks of intense battle between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

US-Iran Ceasefire Update: Strait of Hormuz in full control, says Trump

On Thursday, Trump said that he had ordered the US Navy to "shoot and kill" any boat that are "putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz".

"There is to be no hesitation," wrote Trump.

In a separate post, claiming that Tehran is not sure of who their leader is at present, the American president wrote that the US has "total control over the Strait of Hormuz". "No ship can enter or leave" with the US Navy's prior approval, he claimed.

Strait of Hormuz remains at centre of West Asia conflict

Tehran said that the Strait of Hormuz cannot reopen due to ceasefire violations, accusing the American forces of naval blockade and Israeli forces of continued aggression in the region, according to foreign media reports. Some Iranian officials reportedly said that they were open to talks but also reiterated trust and commitment issues with the US.

The latest exchange of remarks comes at a time when markets await a second round of talks between Iranian and American sides after the previous discussions, held in Islamabad, fell through.

This week, Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to allow both sides to continue peace talks ‌to end the war, claiming that it is at Pakistan’s request. Iranian leaders described America's move to continue the blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline as an act of ​war. Trump noted that Iranian ports will continue to be blocked until Tehran presents a “unified proposal”.

The Strait of Hormuz -- a crucial maritime region connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea -- is effectively observing a dual blockade, causing volatility in global energy markets. The strait has been effectively shut since February 28, when joint US-Israel strikes against Tehran killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and triggered Tehran's retaliatory action against several countries in the region.

Tehran first closed the Strait of Hormuz -- which normally enables the supplies of one-fifth of the world's oil and gas -- on March 2, and then again on April 18 citing a blockade of its ports by the US.

Here are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the subject:

What is the status of the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire?

It has been extended for three weeks.

What is the status of the Iran-US ceasefire?

The US has extended it indefinitely. However, the US Navy's blockade of Iranian shores continues.

How long has the Israel-Lebanon conflict lasted?

Before the truce, the escalations stretched to more than seven weeks.

What did Trump say about discussions between Israeli and Lebanese envoys?

The US president said that the talks went "very well”.

What is the United States' position in the Israel-Lebanon conflict?

The US is supporting Lebanon and pushing negotiations forward.

What is the latest update on the Strait of Hormuz?

Trump has claimed that the US has full control over the route.

What has Iran said on the matter?

It has accused the US and Israel of engaging in ceasefire violations. It is open to talks but has also voiced concerns over trust.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?

It is a key global oil shipping route. Now largely blocked, the strait normally enables the supply of one-fifth of the world's oil and gas.