A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at 5 p.m. EDT, and early signs Friday suggested it was largely holding though not without violations and uncertainty about Hezbollah’s role. Lebanon’s army reported “a number of violations” including Israeli attacks and intermittent shelling of villages. French President Emmanuel Macron warned the truce “may already be undermined by ongoing military operations.” Still, Beirut heard celebratory gunfire after midnight and displaced families began cautiously moving toward southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs despite official warnings not to return until the situation stabilized.
Israel kept troops in southern Lebanon during the truce and warned civilians not to travel south of the Litani River. The Israeli military said it would only respond during the pause to “imminent threats from Hezbollah.” Israeli strikes on rocket launchers were reported ahead of the ceasefire taking effect, and Israeli forces have occupied parts of southern Lebanon since Hezbollah entered the broader regional conflict in early March.
President Trump promoted the ceasefire on Truth Social, calling it “Maybe a historic day for Lebanon” and urging Hezbollah to “act nicely and well” during the period. He said he had spoken with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and directed aides to work on translating the pause into lasting peace. Netanyahu struck an optimistic tone about an “opportunity” for a historic peace agreement but said he rejected Hezbollah’s demands and insisted on the militia’s disarmament as a precondition for enduring peace.
Hezbollah’s inclusion in any deal is unclear: the truce was negotiated without the militia’s direct participation and will leave Israeli troops in parts of southern Lebanon — a point that could complicate acceptance by Hezbollah and its Iranian backers. Iran, Lebanon and Pakistan emphasized that ending Israel’s war with Hezbollah would be essential to a wider settlement.
U.S. and regional military posture
The U.S. maintained strong military pressure on Iran even as talks continued. CENTCOM said more than 10,000 U.S. service members, at least 12 ships and roughly 100 aircraft are enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports. CENTCOM and U.S. military leaders stressed the blockade targets Iran’s ports and coastline, not the Strait of Hormuz itself, though the maritime situation remains effectively constraining regional shipping. CENTCOM reported that at least 14 vessels had turned around to comply with the blockade; U.S. commanders warned they would use force if ships did not comply.
The Pentagon broadened enforcement to include ships subject to U.S. sanctions and vessels suspected of carrying contraband, saying sanctioned or suspect ships could be interdicted, searched and seized in waters around Iran. Naval Forces Central Command said the list of contraband includes petroleum products deemed key to Iran’s military operations. The U.S. also said it had turned back a number of Iranian-flagged tankers.
U.S. defense officials said forces remain “vigilant” and “ready.” Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said forces were rearming, retooling and ready to resume major operations on short notice. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned the blockade would continue until Iran stops threatening shipping and suggested bombing of Iranian infrastructure could resume if Tehran “chooses poorly,” while criticizing media coverage of the war.
Diplomacy and mediation
Pakistan has been the primary intermediary in U.S.-Iran talks; its foreign ministry said no dates were set yet for another round of direct talks hosted by Islamabad. Tehran’s U.N. ambassador said Iran was “cautiously optimistic” about negotiations and hoped for a “meaningful outcome.” China and Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backed by the U.S. and Gulf states that sought to open the Strait of Hormuz; China’s U.N. envoy called the U.S. blockade “dangerous and irresponsible” and urged negotiating a complete ceasefire as the path to reopening the waterway.
China’s foreign minister pressed Iran to reopen the strait, noting international concern for freedom of navigation, while also stressing Iran’s sovereignty. Analysts noted Beijing has strong energy incentives to restore shipping: roughly 20% of China’s oil comes from Iran, and more than half of its supplies travel via the strait.
Global economic effects
The closure and constrained flows through the Strait of Hormuz have sparked deep concern about fuel supplies and prices. The head of the International Energy Agency warned Europe may have “maybe six weeks or so” of jet fuel left and warned of potential flight cancellations if the strait remains closed. He described the situation as the “largest energy crisis we have ever faced,” with widening impacts on petrol, gas and electricity prices and uneven pain hitting developing countries hardest.
Iran’s economy and exports have also been affected. Reports indicated Iran temporarily halted petrochemical exports to prioritize domestic supply amid severe sanctions and wartime strains; petrochemical products are crucial to many industries worldwide. China and other major buyers are economically motivated to see the strait reopened.
Widening international alignment and arms concerns
U.S. intelligence assessed signs that China was weighing providing Iran with advanced radar systems, and reports suggested Russia had shared intelligence with Tehran on American positions in the region — moves seen as part of broader efforts by major powers to support Iran and blunt U.S.-Israeli operations. The potential for outside assistance to Iran raised alarms about the war expanding beyond regional actors.
Domestic U.S. politics and defense planning
In Washington, a House resolution seeking to curtail President Trump’s military actions against Iran narrowly failed, 214-213, with one member present. The Pentagon reportedly approached U.S. auto company CEOs about increasing weapons production using their factories and personnel, drawing parallels to World War II mobilization, as the military seeks to replenish stocks depleted by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Other developments
– U.S. officials said the status of Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was believed to be “alive but wounded” after an earlier strike that killed his predecessor.
– Israeli strikes destroyed the Qasimiyeh Bridge, severing the last direct link between the southern Lebanese cities of Tyre and Sidon.
– Pakistan’s prime minister and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed Pakistan’s diplomatic role; Pakistan’s leadership has been shuttling across the region to aid de-escalation.
– The U.K. offered Lebanon nearly $28 million in humanitarian assistance to help hundreds of thousands displaced by the fighting.
What’s next
The ceasefire in Lebanon will test whether Lebanese state forces can assert control and whether Hezbollah will accept a deal concluded without its input. The U.S.-Iran talks — and whether the two-week ceasefire with Tehran is extended — remain the central determinant of whether the broader regional war de-escalates. If negotiations fail, U.S. officials have said, combat could resume. Meanwhile, the maritime blockade and continued threats around the Strait of Hormuz keep global energy markets and shipping under acute stress.