President Trump said late Wednesday that U.S. forces deployed in the Middle East will “remain in place” until an agreement is reached with Iran and its implementation takes hold. His comments followed a shaky start to a two-week ceasefire, with Israel continuing strikes in Lebanon that killed hundreds, Gulf Arab countries reporting drone and missile attacks on oil refineries and power plants, and amid reports that Iran had shut down the Strait of Hormuz — a key shipping route handling about 20% of the world’s fuel and goods.
Markets felt the uncertainty Thursday, erasing some gains from the previous day: Brent crude was about $97 per barrel, up 2.4%. Trump warned that strikes on Iran would resume if Tehran did not comply with “the REAL AGREEMENT reached.” “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 wrote on Truth Social. He reiterated 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 traffic actually upticked Wednesday.
High-level talks between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled to start 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 says Iran’s proposal was “literally thrown in the garbage” by Trump, though Trump initially called an Iranian plan “workable.”
Dispute also remains over whether Lebanon is covered by the ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said his government supports Trump’s suspension of strikes against Iran for two weeks but that the ceasefire does not include Lebanon. Pakistan had said the truce would also take effect in Lebanon. Hezbollah insists 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 said the U.S. government must act on its commitments.
Lebanon observed a national day of mourning after the deadliest day of the current Israeli invasion: more than 250 people were killed Wednesday, according to Lebanon’s civil defense, and more than 1,160 were wounded. Israeli forces said they carried out the largest attack yet — about 100 strikes in 10 minutes in Beirut — including on densely populated residential areas far from Hezbollah strongholds. The assault came as Beirut swelled with people fleeing the southern invasion that has displaced over a million people. 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 expressed outrage at attacks in densely populated urban areas. An Israeli military spokesperson said Hezbollah has dispersed and embedded in civilian areas, complicating operations.
The Strait of Hormuz’s status remains unclear. Before the war, Iran allowed an average of 120–150 ships per day; in recent weeks traffic has largely halted, and despite the ceasefire terms calling for reopening, more than a hundred ships remained stalled. Iran said it had ceased transit operations in response to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon; the White House called such reports false and unacceptable. Many shipowners, insurers and crews are staying put out of caution, worried Iran may attack vessels transiting without permission and concerned about Iran’s decentralized military command and who has authority to assure safe passage. More than 20 ships have been attacked since the war began. Operators are also grappling with Iran’s new fee system for transit; analysts say several tanker operators reported paying at least $1 million to transit the strait. An English-language VHF broadcast warned idling ships they need permission before attempting to transit.
Lauren Frayer in Beirut and Jackie Northam in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.