President Trump said late Wednesday that U.S. forces in the Middle East will “remain in place” until an agreement with Iran is reached and its terms are in effect. His remarks came after a shaky start to a planned two-week ceasefire, during which violence continued in several theaters and reports circulated that Iran had shut the Strait of Hormuz — a vital shipping lane that handles roughly 20% of global fuel and goods.
Markets reacted to the uncertainty on Thursday, trimming some gains from the previous session; Brent crude traded near $97 a barrel, up about 2.4%. Trump warned on Truth Social that strikes on Iran would resume if Tehran failed to comply with “the REAL AGREEMENT reached.” He added, “If for any reason it is not, which is highly unlikely, then the ‘Shootin’ Starts,’ bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before.” He said the deal would bar nuclear enrichment in Iran and keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
The White House denied reports that Iran had closed the strait, saying vessel traffic actually increased Wednesday. Still, shipping remains disrupted: before the war, Iran allowed about 120–150 ships daily; in recent weeks traffic has largely halted and more than a hundred vessels were stalled despite ceasefire language calling for reopening. Operators and crews are remaining cautious, worried about attacks on ships transiting without permission and uncertainty over who can guarantee safe passage. Maritime insurers and owners have reported more than 20 vessels attacked since the conflict began. Analysts also say some tanker operators have paid new transit fees reportedly amounting to at least $1 million; an English‑language VHF broadcast warned idling ships that permission is required before attempting transit.
High-level U.S.-Iran talks are scheduled to begin Saturday in Islamabad, mediated by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The White House said Vice President J.D. Vance will lead the U.S. delegation. Confusion persists over the talks’ framework: Iran insists on a 10-point plan that includes control over the Strait of Hormuz, removal of sanctions and acceptance of enrichment rights. The White House has said Iran’s proposal was “literally thrown in the garbage” by Trump, though the president initially called an Iranian plan “workable.”
A separate dispute centers on whether the ceasefire covers Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said his government supports Trump’s suspension of strikes on Iran for two weeks but that the truce does not include Lebanon. Pakistan had said the truce would also take effect in Lebanon. Hezbollah maintains the U.S.-Iran ceasefire includes Lebanon and warned that if Israel does not adhere, “no party will commit to it, and there will be a response from the region, including Iran.” Iran condemned continued assaults on Lebanon and urged the U.S. to honor its commitments.
Lebanon observed a national day of mourning after the deadliest day of the current Israeli offensive: more than 250 people were killed Wednesday and over 1,160 wounded, Lebanon’s civil defense reported. Israeli forces said they conducted what they described as the largest attack yet in Beirut — about 100 strikes in 10 minutes — hitting densely populated residential areas far from known Hezbollah strongholds. The assault occurred as Beirut swelled with people fleeing the south, where the invasion has displaced more than a million residents. On Thursday Israel struck a bridge in Lebanon; Hezbollah, which had held fire on the first day of the ceasefire, fired rockets into northern Israel. The International Committee of the Red Cross condemned attacks in densely populated urban areas. An Israeli military spokesperson said Hezbollah fighters have dispersed and embedded among civilians, complicating operations.
The situation remains fluid as diplomats prepare for Islamabad talks and military forces hold positions across the region. Lauren Frayer in Beirut and Jackie Northam in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.