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

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

Donald Trump has stated that there is a “very good chance” of reaching a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon this year, after announcing an extension of the ceasefire “by three weeks” on Thursday, April 23. On the other front of the war between Iran and Washington, the ceasefire in effect for two weeks seems to be hanging by a thread. Iranian media have reported explosions in Tehran, a first since the ceasefire came into effect. Franceinfo summarizes the key points from the day’s news.

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 in the afternoon, during which Beirut had indicated its intention to request an extension of the ceasefire in effect since April 17. The American 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,” Donald Trump further wrote on his social network, Truth Social.

Explosions heard in Tehran

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

Israel awaits Trump’s approval to “bring Iran back to the Stone Age”

Israel is prepared to resume war against Iran and awaits Washington’s approval to bring the country “back to the Stone Age,” stated Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran on Tuesday, which came into effect on April 8 – and to which Israel complied. “The IDF is ready, both defensively and offensively, and the targets have been designated,” Israel Katz affirmed. “We are waiting for the green light from the United States – firstly to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty,” he added in reference to Mojtaba Khamenei, but also to “bring Iran back to the dark ages and the Stone Age by destroying critical 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 already suffered by the Iranian terrorist regime, which will shake and cause its foundations to collapse,” the minister added.

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

This is the latest episode in the maritime showdown between the two belligerents, which see a series of seizures and inspections of ships. Donald Trump ordered on Thursday the destruction of Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. “There must be no hesitation,” he wrote on his Truth Social network, as the double Iranian and American blockade in this strategic maritime route increasingly disrupts the global economy.

Iran has not been idle, seizing two ships on Wednesday in the strait, and insisting that it will remain closed until the United States lifts the blockade of 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 fees 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. Hezbollah, in turn, claimed attacks on Israeli troops in Lebanese territory and announced launching rockets at 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 air strike in the southern part 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.