U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an extension on the two-week ceasefire with Iran.
Trump said he would continue the U.S’ naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran called the extension a “ploy”.
Despite a separate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire.
On the ground, two IDF soldiers were imprisoned after one took a photo of the other smashing a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, sparking widespread backlash.
Background
A two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was first agreed to on 8 April.
After the countries disagreed over Lebanon’s inclusion in the ceasefire, Iran kept the Strait of Hormuz closed.
Then, following unsuccessful peace talks in Pakistan last week, the U.S. imposed a naval blockade of ships heading through the Strait to or from Iran.
The U.S. then struck and seized an Iranian tanker, which Iran called “maritime piracy”.
Extension
On Wednesday morning (AEST), Trump said the two-week ceasefire would be extended until Iran had a “unified proposal” for peace.
He also confirmed the blockade of the Strait would continue.
Response
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Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on X to “sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request”.
Meanwhile, an advisor to Iranian Parliament speaker MB Ghalibaf said the extension “means nothing” as “the losing side cannot dictate terms.”
The advisor called it a “ploy to buy time”.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke to TDA, calling the extension of the ceasefire a “good thing”.
Israel-Lebanon
Following peace talks in the U.S,a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was brokered on 17 April.
Much of the agreement was centred on Iran-backed and Lebanon-based group Hezbollah.
Both sides have since accused the other of breaking the ceasefire.
The IDF has repeatedly claimed that Hezbollah has broken the deal by crossing its “Defense Line” and approaching troops.
On Tuesday, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported the IDF “carried out a demolition operation” in the south.
Overnight, two IDF soldiers were imprisoned after one took a photo of another smashing a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, which was widely shared. Israel has sent a new statue.
“Israel deeply regrets the incident and will continue to adamantly protect Christians within its jurisdiction and pursue freedom of worship for all religions,” Netanyahu said in a statement shared on social media.
