Trump says he will extend ceasefire with Iran until negotiations conclude

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a unified proposal to end the conflict, while maintaining the US blockade on Iranian ports to pressure the regime economically.
• Iran dismissed the ceasefire extension as meaningless, with advisers accusing the US of using it as a ploy to buy time and calling for military action, amid ongoing distrust and internal fractures within Iran’s leadership.
• The UK and France are convening military planners from over 30 nations to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed for nearly two months, disrupting a significant portion of global oil and gas supplies.
• US officials highlighted that Iran’s oil storage on Kharg Island is nearing capacity due to the blockade, which could force Iran to reduce crude production, though the blockade’s full economic impact depends on sustained enforcement over several months.
• Meanwhile, tensions persist in Lebanon as Hezbollah and Israel exchange fire despite a fragile ceasefire, and the US prepares for further diplomatic talks involving Israel and Lebanon while imposing new sanctions targeting Iranian entities linked to weapons procurement.