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• Get the latest updates on the war with Iran here.
What we know so far
• Ceasefire deal: Hours after a 10-day truce in Lebanon began, the Lebanese army accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, alleging intermittent shelling in the south. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said Israeli forces will not withdraw from positions in southern Lebanon, and a Hezbollah official warned the group reserves the right to respond to attacks.
• Flurry of diplomacy: US President Donald Trump said a White House meeting between Israel and Lebanon could take place within two weeks. The conflict with Hezbollah has been a key sticking point in negotiations on the US-Iran war. Trump also voiced confidence Thursday that a deal with Tehran will come soon, saying another round of talks could take place this weekend.
• US military activity: US officials said troops in the Middle East are “rearming” and stand ready to resume combat if Iran negotiations fail. The US is maintaining a naval blockade in the region.
Here’s what you should know as a ceasefire in Lebanon has taken effect
It’s early Friday in Lebanon and a 10-day truce has taken effect, aimed at putting a halt to the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Beirut’s skyline was lit up with fireworks and celebratory gunfire around midnight local time as the ceasefire took effect. However, shortly afterward, the Lebanese army accused Israel of committing “a number of acts of aggression,” or violating their agreement.
The conflict with Hezbollah has been a key sticking point in negotiations on the US-Iran war.
Catch up on developments in Lebanon and in the US-Iran war:
- Trump’s remarks: President Donald Trump downplayed the length of the war with Iran at a campaign event Thursday in Las Vegas, comparing the conflict to more drawn-out US conflicts. Trump also suggested developments could be imminent on the Iran front. Separately, in a social media post, the president urged Hezbollah to show restraint and embrace peace.
- On negotiations: Vice President JD Vance played a role in brokering the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a senior administration official told CNN. Vance “pushed the Israelis for days to be more careful in Lebanon,” the official said, adding that the vice president believed an end to the loss of life in Lebanon could calm regional tensions.
- Essential goods: A senior Iranian official said Thursday there is no concern about the supply of essential goods in Iran and the government is working “around the clock” to prevent disruptions to daily life.
- Virtual meeting: The leaders of Britain and France will host a virtual meeting Friday to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. World leaders from 40 countries are expected to discuss supporting the fragile ceasefire with Iran and the reopening and security of shipping routes through the strait.
- Attack drones: Iran still retains “thousands of missiles” and one-way attack drones capable of threatening US and allied forces in the region, despite the US-Israeli bombardment of Tehran’s military assets, a senior US military official told lawmakers Thursday.
CNN’s Kristen Holmes, Hira Humayun, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Sebastian Shukla, Michael Rios, Tamara Qiblawi, Sean Lyngaas, Alejandra Jaramillo contributed reporting.
Cardinal responds to criticism of Pope Leo
Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich talks with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour about Pope Leo’s comments after President Donald Trump attacked the pontiff for his stance on the war with Iran.
Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich talks with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour about Pope Leo’s comments after President Donald Trump attacked the pontiff for his stance on the war with Iran.
Trump hints to watch "what happens over the next week or so" in Iran
President Donald Trump suggested developments could be imminent in Iran, telling a crowd to watch what happens in the coming week or so, as he spoke at a “No Tax on Tips” roundtable event on Thursday in Las Vegas.
Speaking about oil prices before pivoting back to the conflict, Trump said, “Let’s see what happens over the next week or so,” adding, “you could be very impressed, and if you are, vote for the Republicans,” in reference to the upcoming midterm elections.
“We’re going to have victory. Very shortly,” Trump also said on the war.
The president’s comments come as he projected optimism about striking a deal with Iran, claiming Tehran is willing to do things it wasn’t two months ago before departing the White House earlier in the day.
Trump downplays length of Iran war: "It's been two months"
President Donald Trump downplayed the length of the ongoing war with Iran at a campaign event Thursday, comparing the conflict to more drawn-out US conflicts.
“It’s been two months, I mean two months. You’ve been in other wars for 18 years, four years,” Trump said. “And you know what? We’re going to have victory very shortly.”
Trump also celebrated the economy under his leadership, even as gas prices in Las Vegas, where he spoke tonight, are around $5.00 per gallon.
“We had the best economy in the history of our country my first term. And we’re blowing it out now — we’re blowing it away now,” Trump said. “Despite our little diversion to the lovely country Iran, lovely place, and we had to do that because otherwise, bad things could happen.”
Trump also called rising inflation “fake,” due to fuel prices, which he has suggested will return to pre-war levels.
“Don’t forget, we’re having some fake inflation because of the fuel, the energy prices,” Trump said.
How Trump administration’s use of religion could help or hurt the GOP
CNN’s Kristen Holmes analyzes President Donald Trump’s use of religious rhetoric in his second term and how the administration could be splitting supporters who voted for him. Trump and Pope Leo have been in a public spat over the US war with Iran.
CNN's Kristen Holmes analyzes President Donald Trump's use of religious rhetoric in his second term and how the administration could be splitting supporters who voted for him.
Lebanon's army accuses Israel of violating ceasefire
The Lebanese army said it recorded multiple ceasefire violations by Israel after the truce went into effect at midnight local time on Friday.
It accused Israel of committing “a number of acts of aggression,” saying intermittent shelling has impacted several villages in southern Lebanon.
The army urged citizens to delay returning to southern villages and towns in light of the alleged ceasefire violations.
CNN has reached out to the Israeli military for comment.
Trump urges Hezbollah to “act nicely” after ceasefire announcement
President Donald Trump urged Hezbollah to show restraint and embrace peace, a message that comes after he announced a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel amid heightened regional tensions.
“I hope Hezbollah acts nicely and well during this important period of time. It will be an GREAT moment for them if they do. No more killing. Must finally have PEACE!,” Trump said of the Iran-backed paramilitary group in a Truth Social post.
A pause in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah could help pave the way for a peace deal with Tehran.
Israeli military warns Lebanese not to move south of Litani River as ceasefire takes effect
Israel’s military is warning residents of southern Lebanon not to move south of the Litani River, saying its forces remain deployed there as the ceasefire in Lebanon takes effect.
Military spokesman Avichay Adraee said Israeli troops remain positioned in southern Lebanon “in the face of Hezbollah’s ongoing terrorist activities.”
“For your safety and the safety of your family members – until further notice – you are requested not to move to the south of the Litani River,” Adraee said.
International reactions to ceasefire in Lebanon
Government officials and international groups have largely welcomed the announcement of a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, though some have cautioned that a truce is only the first step toward lasting stability in the region.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the news as a “relief,” pointing out that the conflict has already claimed many lives. “Now, we need not just a temporary pause, but a path to permanent peace,” she said.
- UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis said the ceasefire could “give space for negotiations (and not the battlefield) to dictate what comes next.” She called it another important step to break the cycle of conflict.
- The International Organization for Migration also welcomed the announced ceasefire and urged all parties to uphold it, noting that more than 1 million people have been uprooted as a result of the conflict.
- The International Rescue Committee called the ceasefire a “long-overdue reprieve” for civilians that creates a “narrow but critical” opportunity to scale up crucial humanitarian assistance.
- Iranian media outlets are portraying the development as a victory for Tehran’s negotiating position, claiming that Iran’s insistence on linking progress in talks with Washington to a ceasefire in Lebanon compelled the United States and Israel to agree to a ceasefire there.
- The head of a municipality in northern Israel, however, said a ceasefire is a “worse option” than the status quo. Amit Sofer, head of the Merom HaGalil Regional Council, insisted that Israel’s military should be allowed to achieve its goal of disarming Hezbollah. “It is unreasonable for Donald Trump to tie the Lebanese arena to the Iranian arena; by doing so, he condemns northern residents to more years of a constant threat,” he said.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres said minutes after the ceasefire took effect that he hopes it paves the way toward negotiations for a long-term solution to the conflict.
CNN’s Issy Ronald, Hira Humayun, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Michael Rios and Dana Karni contributed to this report.
Charting past strikes between Israel and Hezbollah as ceasefire takes effect
A 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, putting a pause on hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed paramilitary group Hezbollah, went into effect a short time ago.
Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon intensified in recent days, and the US-Iran war has increased the pressure on regional leaders to resolve the conflict, but the most recent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah stems back to 2023.
Here are the details on Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon since early March.
Iran still has thousands of missiles and drones, US military official says
Iran still retains “thousands of missiles” and one-way attack drones capable of threatening US and allied forces in the region despite the US-Israeli bombardment of Tehran’s military assets, a senior US military official told lawmakers on Thursday.
Iran-backed Shiite militias have also conducted “hundreds” of attacks on US forces since the war with Iran began in February, said Lt. Gen. James Adams, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
The US and Israeli bombing campaign, which has paused amid a delicate ceasefire with Iran, has caused “significant degradation of Iranian military capabilities,” Adams told a House Armed Services subcommittee.
Citing sources familiar with recent US intelligence assessments, CNN reported in early April that roughly half of Iran’s missile launchers were still intact and that it retained thousands of one-way attack drones and a large number of missiles despite the US-Israeli bombing campaign.
Fireworks and celebratory gunfire in Beirut as ceasefire takes effect
Beirut’s skyline was lit up with fireworks and celebratory gunfire around midnight local time as the ceasefire in Lebanon took effect.
Local media reported intense celebratory gunfire in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a heavy militant presence, as video showed red flashes of light going up into the air.
Starmer and Macron to host meeting of world leaders on reopening Strait of Hormuz
The leaders of Britain and France are to host a virtual meeting of world leaders on Friday to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Leaders from 40 countries are expected to discuss supporting the fragile Iran ceasefire and the reopening and security of shipping routes through the strait.
A statement from the British prime minister’s office said world leaders would establish an international mission to reopen the strait. The strictly defensive mission would deploy a combined military effort as soon as conditions allow, according to the statement.
The summit will also discuss supporting the work of the International Maritime Organization to ensure the safety of vessels and those aboard them.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to arrive in Paris on Friday morning to host the summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will also travel to Paris on Friday for the summit, according to a German government official.
“The unconditional and immediate reopening of the strait is a global responsibility and we need to act to get global energy and trade flowing freely again,” Starmer is expected to tell the summit. The British leader is also expected to stress the need to reassure commercial shipping and support mine-clearance operations.
The German official said Germany was ready to make a “contribution” to ensuring safe passage through the strait, provided there is a clear legal basis to do so. That contribution could include mine clearance vessels or maritime surveillance, an expertise of the German armed forces, the official said.
Iran says essential goods supply secure amid US blockade, shortage fears
A senior Iranian official said Thursday there is no concern about the supply of essential goods in Iran and that the government is working “around the clock” to prevent disruptions to daily life.
Elias Hazrati, head of Iran’s Government Information Council, said in a statement that authorities are acting to ensure that “not even the slightest disruption” would be felt by the public.
Tehran faces a US blockade on vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports that Iranian officials say took effect Tuesday. There is public concern about possible shortages after bombardment and the destruction of bridges and roads disrupted transport routes during 40 days of US-Israeli strikes.
Hazrati also commented on negotiations with the United States, saying the Iranian team was present “with full authority and clear frameworks,” while claiming that “the Americans had no authority whatsoever.”
Ceasefire in Lebanon is now in effect
A 10-day ceasefire has now taken effect in Lebanon, pausing the fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The truce began at 5 p.m. ET and is “intended to enable good-faith negotiations toward a permanent security and peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon,” the US State Department said.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran is approaching the pause “with caution” and Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon called it “complex.”
Israeli military says it struck nearly 400 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon over the past day
Over the past 24 hours, the Israeli military said it struck more than 380 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
The military said it hit launchers, headquarters and militants from the Iranian-backed group to support Israeli ground forces in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military said it is on “high alert” as a 10-day Israel-Hezbollah takes effect.
Vance played role in Lebanon ceasefire, official says
Vice President JD Vance played a role in brokering the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a senior administration official told CNN.
Vance “pushed the Israelis for days to be more careful in Lebanon,” the official said, adding that the vice president believed an end to the loss of life in Lebanon could calm regional tensions.
Last night, President Donald Trump and Vance agreed Israel needed to implement a ceasefire, the official said. Then this morning, Trump, Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to the president of Lebanon to confirm the ceasefire, the official said, adding that the trio then spoke with the Israelis.
Vance, a one-time skeptic about the Iran war, was also involved in securing the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran. He traveled to Islamabad, Pakistan, last weekend for talks with the Iranians and is on standby to return for potential future talks.
But with the vice president in the spotlight, Trump has been monitoring his progress closely and inquiring with various friends and advisers how they’d rank his performance, CNN reported earlier Thursday.
The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is about to take effect. Here's what to know
CNN’s Jeremy Diamond breaks down the details of the 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.
CNN's Jeremy Diamond explains the contingencies behind the 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire agreement. President Trump announced the ceasefire on Truth Social Thursday.
More US-Iran talks could happen this weekend, plus the latest on the ceasefire in Lebanon
The end to a ceasefire between the US and Iran is looming as more peace talks could happen as soon as this weekend, President Donald Trump said Thursday.
It comes on the heels of an agreement between Israel and Lebanon to pause fighting, which has been a contentious point in the shaky US-Iran ceasefire. The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire agreement is set to take effect at 5 p.m. ET.
Here’s what we heard today from the US president:
- Trump said he may not need to extend the ceasefire with Iran, which expires next week, even as he threatened to resume fighting. He added Iran is eager to make a deal and said Tehran has agreed to things it hadn’t two months ago.
- Another round of in-person negotiations with the Iranians could occur over the weekend, Trump said. The president said he’d consider traveling to Pakistan to sign a deal if the US and Iran reach an agreement.
- Trump said he has invited the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to the White House for peace talks, shortly after he announced the temporary 10-day truce. That meeting, which would be the first in 44 years, could happen “over the next week or two,” Trump said.
- Trump praised the US blockade on Iranian ports, calling it “amazing” and asserting it has effectively halted much of Iran’s economic activity.
- On gas prices, Trump said they are “not very high” and suggested that once a deal is reached, prices would go lower than pre-war levels.
What we know about the ceasefire in Lebanon:
- The speaker of the Lebanese Parliament warned residents of the south not to return to their villages yet. Separately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military will not withdraw from its positions in southern Lebanon during the ceasefire.
- The Iranian-backed Hezbollah will abide by the truce — if Israel ceases its attacks, a leading Hezbollah official told CNN.
- The 10-day ceasefire could be extended, and Israel reserves the right “to take all necessary measures in self-defense” during the truce, according to the US State Department, which issued a memorandum of understanding of the terms of the agreement.
- The agreement came together starting with a meeting Secretary of State Marco Rubio held with ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday. On Wednesday evening, Trump held a phone call with Netanyahu and then directed Rubio to call Lebanon President Joseph Aoun.
- Looking ahead, Lebanon must be included if a “comprehensive ceasefire” between Iran and the US is to be negotiated, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Pakistani mediators.
CNN’s Adam Cancryn, Kit Maher, Zeena Saifi, Hira Humayun, Alejandra Jaramillo, Dana Karni, Tal Shalev, Jennifer Hansler, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Kristen Holmes and Maureen Chowdhury contributed reporting to this post.
