War in the Middle East: Extension of ceasefire in Lebanon, explosions in Tehran… What to remember from Thursday, April 23

Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which was set to expire on Sunday, by “three weeks.”

Donald Trump stated there is a “very good chance” of reaching a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon this year, following the announcement of a three-week extension of the ceasefire on Thursday, April 23. Meanwhile, on another front of the war between Iran and Washington, the ceasefire in place for two weeks seems fragile. Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran, a first since the ceasefire began. Franceinfo provides an overview of the key information from the day.

Donald Trump announces an extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon

“The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks,” announced Donald Trump on Thursday evening. The president participated in a new round of talks in Washington between the two countries at the ambassador level, during which Beirut had expressed its intention to request an extension of the ceasefire in place since April 17. The US president also stated that there is a “very good chance” of achieving a peace agreement between the two countries this year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun could meet “in the coming weeks,” Trump further mentioned on his Truth Social network.

Explosions heard in Tehran

Iranian media reported explosions in the evening in Tehran, the first since the ceasefire came into effect on April 8, which was unilaterally extended by the United States. Donald Trump also stated on Thursday that he has “all the time in the world” in the Middle East war.

Israel awaiting Trump’s approval to take action against Iran

Israel is ready to resume the war against Iran and is awaiting Washington’s approval to bring the country “back to the Stone Age,” declared Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. Donald Trump announced on Tuesday an extension of the ceasefire between the US and Iran, in effect since April 8 – which Israel has complied with. “The Israel Defense Forces are ready, both defensively and offensively, and the targets have been designated,” said Israel Katz. “We are waiting for the US approval – primarily to eliminate the Khamenei dynasty,” he added, referring to Mojtaba Khamenei, as well as “to bring Iran back to the dark ages and the Stone Age by destroying key energy and electrical installations and dismantling its national economic infrastructure.”

“This time, when the attack resumes, it will be different and deadly, adding devastating blows to the most sensitive points, after the colossal strikes suffered by the Iranian terrorist regime, which will shake and collapse its foundations,” added the minister.

Donald Trump orders the destruction of Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz

This is the latest episode in the maritime standoff between the two belligerents, who are increasing seizures and inspections of ships. Donald Trump ordered on Thursday the destruction of Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. “There should be no hesitation,” he wrote on his Truth Social network, as the dual Iranian and American blockade on this strategic maritime route continues to increasingly shake the global economy.

Iran, on the other hand, seized two ships on Wednesday in the strait and reiterated that it would remain closed until the US lifted the blockade on Iranian ports imposed since April 13. A senior Iranian official also announced on Thursday that Iran had received its first revenues from unilaterally imposed passage rights in the strait.

Three people killed in Lebanon

In Lebanon, three people were killed on Thursday in an Israeli strike, despite the ceasefire between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah in place since April 17. The Hezbollah claimed attacks against Israeli troops on Lebanese soil and announced rocket fire on northern Israel.

On the same day, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of committing a “war crime” after the death of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil in an Israeli airstrike in the south of the country. Aged 42, the journalist from the Al-Akhbar newspaper was killed on Wednesday. Her independent colleague Zeinab Faraj was injured in the same strike.