War in the Middle East: extended ceasefire, French engagement in Lebanon… What to remember from the day.

Donald Trump has announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran to give Tehran more time to negotiate, while maintaining the blockade of Iranian ports.

Publish date: April 22, 2026 00:00

Reading time: 6min

Just hours before the countdown ended, Donald Trump decided to extend the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely on Tuesday, April 21. Tehran, on the other hand, threatened to attack its Gulf neighbors, jeopardizing their oil production. Here is a summary of the day’s events.

Donald Trump extends ceasefire

Two weeks after the ceasefire went into effect on April 8, Iran warned that the ceasefire would end as of Tuesday night according to Tehran time, while President Trump mentioned Wednesday night, Washington time. Citing divisions within the Iranian leadership, the Republican billionaire announced at the last minute on his Truth Social platform that he was extending the cessation of hostilities at the request of Pakistani mediators, until “Iran presents a proposal to end the conflict”. Just on Monday, the White House tenant deemed a ceasefire extension “highly improbable.” Meanwhile, the blockade of Iranian ports will continue, he emphasized.

Iran threatens Gulf countries

Tehran threatened to resume strikes against Gulf countries, putting global oil supplies at risk. “Our neighbors to the South must know that if their territory and facilities are used by the enemy to attack the Iranian nation, they can bid farewell to oil production in the Middle East,” warned the Revolutionary Guards, Tehran’s ideological army. Prior to these threats, oil prices, under pressure from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil supply usually transits, had already risen by about 3%.

Iran knows how to “resist intimidation,” warned its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, denouncing the American blockade of the country’s ports as “an act of war and therefore a violation of the ceasefire.” Tehran is currently refusing to send a delegation to Pakistan for talks with the United States, after an unsuccessful initial session on April 11.

In Lebanon, Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of violating the ceasefire

In the other front of the war that has engulfed the Middle East, new direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to take place on Thursday in Washington, according to US diplomacy. A fragile 10-day ceasefire went into effect last Friday between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, which both parties accused each other of violating.

The Israeli army announced on Tuesday that it had struck a position in southern Lebanon in response to rocket fire towards its soldiers deployed in the region. The pro-Iranian movement, for its part, said it had carried out an attack in northern Israel in response to “flagrant” violations of the ceasefire. According to the Israeli army, sirens sounded in two northern towns after a drone launched from Lebanon was intercepted. According to a new official toll, 2,454 people have been killed in Lebanon in six weeks of war.

Lebanon demands the “total withdrawal” of Israeli forces from its territory, as well as the return of Lebanese prisoners and displaced persons, as part of negotiations with Israel, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in Paris. The country needs “500 million euros to address the humanitarian crisis over the next six months,” according to Nawaf Salam.

France is “ready to maintain its commitment” in Lebanon after the departure of UNIFIL

Emmanuel Macron assured that France is “ready to maintain its commitment on the ground” after the departure of UNIFIL, the UN mission in southern Lebanon, scheduled for the end of the year, “alongside its most mobilized partners, within a framework that we will have to define together.” Noting “with joy and satisfaction that the United States are interested in the cradle of Lebanon,” he called on them to help France “negotiate a new solution” to renew UNIFIL or define “a new version.” During a press conference with Nawaf Salam, Emmanuel Macron also argued that Israel must “give up its territorial ambitions” and that Hezbollah must be disarmed “by the Lebanese.”

The EU 27 fail to agree on new sanctions against Israel

The European Union countries have failed to impose new sanctions against Israel, despite calls to do so from several, including Spain, admitted EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. During a meeting on Tuesday of the foreign ministers of the EU member states in Luxembourg, Spain and Ireland called for the total suspension of the association agreement between the EU and Israel. However, countries like Germany and Italy opposed it. “There was no support for this measure in the room,” which requires unanimity from the 27 to be taken, Kaja Kallas told the press after the meeting. “We must discuss crucial issues with Israel,” but “this must be done in a critical and constructive dialogue with Israel, which is what we defend,” said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

Emmanuel Macron, on the other hand, acknowledged a “legitimate question” about the possibility of suspending the association agreement if Israel “continues this policy that goes against its history,” especially in Lebanon.