Iran-US war latest: Trump claims ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon to begin within hours

President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed to not have any beef with Pope Leo XIV and suggested that his multiple attacks against the American-born Bishop of Rome are merely the product of a disagreement over Iran’s nuclear weapons program — something the pontiff has never spoken publicly about.

The US military has widened its efforts beyond the blockade of Iran’s ports to allow its forces around the world to stop any ship tied to Tehran or those suspected of carrying supplies that could help its government, from weapons to oil, metals and electronics.

General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, specifically pointed to operations in the Pacific, saying the US would be targeting vessels that left before the blockade began earlier this week outside the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for energy and other shipments.

US forces in other areas of responsibility “will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran”, he told reporters at the Pentagon.

The military also detailed an expansive list of goods that it considers contraband, declaring that it will board, search and seize them from merchant vessels “regardless of location”.

A notice published on Thursday says any “goods that are destined for an enemy and that may be susceptible to use in armed conflict” are “subject to capture at any place beyond neutral territory”.

Israel has agreed to a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, a truce that could pause fighting with the Hezbollah militant group and boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war.

US president Donald Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

However, Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed militants inside the country.

Hezbollah said in a statement that any truce must apply “across all Lebanese territory and must not allow the Israeli enemy any freedom of movement”.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire “to advance” peace efforts with Lebanon.

“We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon,” he said in a video message.

Israeli forces have engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area.

Israeli troops have pushed into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a “security zone”, which Netanyahu has said will extend at least 8km to 10km (five to six miles) into Lebanon.

Hezbollah said that “Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold”, a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.

Netanyahu said Israeli troops will stay in an expanded security zone in southern Lebanon “much stronger, more extensive and more continuous than before”.

“That is where we are, and we are not leaving,” he said.

Trump posted the ceasefire announcement on his Truth Social platform, saying it was to begin at 5pm Eastern time (9pm GMT, 10pm UK time).

The announcement comes two days after the countries held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington.

Hezbollah had opposed direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

Lebanon has insisted on a ceasefire to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before engaging in more talks, while vowing to commit to disarming the group.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

Trump also invited the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to the White House for what he said would be “the first meaningful talks” between the countries since 1983.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed his country has agreed to a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, a truce that could suspend fighting with the Hezbollah militant group and boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran and the United States and Israel.

Mr Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire “to advance” peace efforts with Lebanon.

“We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon,” he said in a video message.

US president Donald Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

However, Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed militants inside the country.

Hezbollah said any truce must apply “across all Lebanese territory and must not allow the Israeli enemy any freedom of movement”.

Donald Trump has claimed Iran has agreed to not possess nuclear weapons for more than 20 years.

He said on Thursday: “It’s looking very good that we’re going to make a deal with Iran and it’s going to be a good deal, it’s going to be a deal with no nuclear weapons…

“We have a very powerful statement, beyond 20 years, that they will not have nuclear weapons.”

He added: “Let’s be honest, there’s no 20 year limit.”

Donald Trump said on Thursday after announcing ⁠a 10-day Lebanon-Israel ceasefire that leaders of the two countries could meet at ⁠the White ​House over ⁠the next week or two. Trump ⁠spoke to both leaders ​as ⁠the ceasefire was ‌announced. He said he was working on a ‌longer term deal.

“It’s ‌very exciting. I think we’re going to have ⁠a deal where we’re going to have a meeting, first time in 44 years, and Lebanon will be meeting with ‌Israel, and they’re ​probably going to do ‌it at ⁠the White House ⁠over the next week or ‌two,” ​Trump said.

Trump told reporters on Thursday: “We’re going to see what happens, but I think we’re very close to making a deal with Iran.

“You’ll be the first to know, but I think we have, if that happens, oil goes way down, prices go way down, inflation goes way down, and you’re going to have much more importantly than even that, you won’t have nuclear holocaust.”

Asked why he is fighting with the Pope, Trump said that the pontiff “said Iran can have a nuclear weapon”, which is not true.

The Pope has called for a world free from nuclear weapons.

The US president told reporters this evening: “I have to do what’s right. The Pope has to understand that very simple. I have nothing against the Pope, his brothers, Maga all the way. I like his brother, Louis. I’m not fighting with him.

“The Pope made a statement. He says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And if the Pope looked at the 42,000 people that were killed over the last two or three months as a protester with no weapons, no nothing. I mean, you take a look at that, disagree with the. I have a right to disagree with the Pope.

“The Pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree. I think that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

“If they do the whole world would be a jeopardy the Middle East will be blown up, and the whole world will be at jeopardy. We’re very close to making a deal. That’ll be a great thing. The Pope has to understand. Iran has killed more than 42,000 people over the last few months.

“Think of it. Protesters without guns without anything. They were totally unarmed protesters. The Pope has understand that this is the real world. It’s a nasty world. But as far as the Pope and saying what he wants, he can do that.

“Now I know the Pope’s brother. He is a big, Maga person. He’s got Maga all over his house. His name is Louis. He’s actually a great guy. And I’m sure the Pope is a great guy, I haven’t met him but I disagree with the Pope, if the Pope would allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

The president told reporters today: “The blockade is amazing, it’s holding up very strong, very powerfully, and I think we’re making a lot of progress in that, but the Pope has understand Iran, very simple, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, the world would be in great danger.”

“Iran wants to make a deal, and we’re dealing very nicely with them. We’ve got to have no nuclear weapons if we do, that’s a big factor, and they’re willing to do things today that they weren’t willing to do two months ago.”