War in the Middle East: second French soldier killed in Lebanon, ships seized in the Strait of Hormuz…

Donald Trump has stated that it is “possible” for discussions with Iran to resume in the coming days, after extending the ceasefire the day before.

Published on April 22, 2026 at 23:55

Reading time: 5min

Following the extension of the ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran announced by Donald Trump, he stated that there is no deadline for Iran to make a proposal, as reported by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday, April 22. He also deemed it “possible” that discussions with Iran could resume in the coming days. On another front of the war, a second French soldier from the UN mission in Lebanon has died. Franceinfo provides a summary of the day’s events.

Second French soldier dies in Lebanon

A second French military personnel from the UN mission in Lebanon, Anicet Girardin, died on Wednesday after being seriously injured in an ambush attributed to Hezbollah. It was during this ambush that another French soldier, Adjudant Florian Montorio, was fatally wounded on Saturday. French authorities and the UN have attributed this attack to the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement, which is fighting Israeli troops in the area but denied any responsibility.

Emmanuel Macron announced the death of Corporal-Chef Anicet Girardin from the 132nd Infantry Regiment of Suippes (Marne), who had been repatriated to France the day before. He had been treated at the Percy military hospital in Clamart. “The Nation, which will pay tribute to Adjudant Florian Montorio killed during the same ambush tomorrow, salutes with emotion the memory of Corporal-Chef Anicet Girardin and his sacrifice,” added the French President.

Journalist killed in Lebanon by Israeli strike

Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was “killed in an Israeli airstrike” on Wednesday in al-Tiri, southern Lebanon, as announced by civil defense. Her death was confirmed by the newspaper Al-Akhbar where she worked. Another journalist was injured in the strike.

Donald Trump “has not set a deadline to receive a proposal from Iran” in negotiations

Donald Trump has not set a deadline for Iran to make a proposal, reported White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday, following the extension of the ceasefire indefinitely announced by the US President. The President also considered it “possible” that discussions with Iran could resume in the coming days, in an interview with the New York Post.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed “appreciation” for Pakistan’s efforts to end the war but did not comment on a unilateral extension of the ceasefire decided by Washington, according to state television.

Another communication discrepancy between the two sides: Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that at his request, Iranian authorities had decided not to execute eight protesters. However, the Iranian judiciary later accused the US President of disseminating “false information.” “Trump is empty-handed on the ground, which has led him to fabricate successes from false information,” stated Mizan, the press organ of the Iranian judiciary.

Iran claims to have seized two ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz

The Revolutionary Guards, Iran’s ideological army, claimed that their naval forces had intercepted two ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. “The two ships in violation were seized by the Revolutionary Guards’ naval forces and directed towards the Iranian coast,” they added. This event, which Donald Trump does not consider a violation of the ceasefire, was confirmed by the White House spokesperson. “No, because they were neither American nor Israeli ships. They were two international vessels,” she affirmed on Fox News.

On Wednesday, the President of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, ruled out a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as long as the American blockade of Iranian ports continues. “A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by a naval blockade… the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is impossible as long as the ceasefire is openly flouted,” wrote this influential figure of the Iranian power structure.

Over 50,000 homes destroyed or damaged by Israel

Over 50,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged in Lebanon during Israeli operations in over six weeks of war, as reported by a Lebanese official on Wednesday. “In nearly 45 days [of war], we have counted 17,756 destroyed homes and 32,668 damaged homes,” stated Chadi Abdallah, the Secretary-General of the National Council for Scientific Research. According to the same source, “428 dwellings were destroyed in the first three days of the truce.”