Iran-US-Israel War News Live Updates: A 10-day ceasefire agreed on by Israel and Lebanon has gone into effect
Earlier in the day, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (left) thanked Donald Trump (centre) for his efforts towards a truce with Israel led by Benjamin Netanyahu (right). (Express photo)
Iran-US-Israel War Today News Live Updates: US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire. He added that the two countries met in Washington and agreed to achieve peace.
The ground situation: The Middle East stands at a critical crossroads on April 16, 2026, as the US ramps up military and economic pressure on Tehran, while a flurry of diplomatic activity unfolds in neutral capitals. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a warning to the Iranian leadership on Thursday, claiming the US has established total maritime dominance and is monitoring every movement of Iran’s remaining military assets. “We are watching you,” Hegseth said, asserting that the Iranian Navy has been effectively neutralised and the Strait of Hormuz is now under US control.
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In another development, Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is in Tehran today for high-level talks with Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, just as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Qatar to coordinate a regional push for de-escalation. These efforts aim to secure a “Grand Bargain”, a sweeping deal that Vice President JD Vance suggested could resolve the nuclear deadlock, though a significant gap remains between Washington’s demand for a 20-year nuclear moratorium and Tehran’s 5-year offer.
5 QUESTIONS · 3 OPTIONS EACH · ONE ATTEMPT PER QUESTION
Question 1 of 5
Who did Pakistan dispatch to Tehran on Wednesday to try to prevent a renewal of the Iran–US conflict?
Pakistan sent Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to Tehran for talks with Iranian leaders. PM Shehbaz Sharif simultaneously briefed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Pakistan’s mediation efforts, with the Kingdom praising Munir’s “constructive role” in the peace process.
Question 2 of 5
Where does the White House say the next round of US–Iran talks would “very likely” take place?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the possible next round of talks would “very likely” be in Islamabad — as was the previous round Pakistan hosted — though she stressed “nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House.”
Question 3 of 5
How long did the US negotiating team, led by VP JD Vance, demand Iran halt uranium enrichment as part of a deal to end the war?
The US proposed a 20-year uranium enrichment moratorium during the Islamabad talks. Iran rejected it and counter-offered five years — a proposal the White House in turn rejected. The fate of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and the duration of nuclear restrictions remain the core unresolved issues.
Question 4 of 5
How did Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent describe the secondary sanctions the US is preparing against countries doing business with Iran?
Bessent said the sanctions would be “the financial equivalent of what we saw in the kinetic activities,” days after Treasury sent letters to banks in China, Hong Kong, the UAE and Oman threatening secondary sanctions for handling Iranian money or oil.
Question 5 of 5
Israeli Science Minister Gila Gamliel said two leaders would speak directly on Thursday for the first time in more than 30 years. Who?
Netanyahu was set to speak with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday — the first direct leader-level call between Israel and Lebanon in over three decades. The call follows Tuesday’s first direct Israeli–Lebanese diplomatic talks in Washington, hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Express InfoGenIE · The Indian Express
US-Iran war ceasefire: Here are 5 latest developments
- Naval blockade: CENTCOM reports that 90% of Iran’s sea trade has been “completely halted” within 48 hours of the blockade’s commencement.
- Hegseth’s briefing: The Defence Secretary claimed the US is using less than 10% of its naval power to enforce the blockade and warned that any movement of Iranian assets is being tracked for potential strikes on “dual-use infrastructure.”
- Israel-Lebanon breakthrough: President Donald Trump announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon are set to speak directly for the first time in over 30 years, despite confusion from Lebanese officials regarding the official channels.
- Humanitarian toll: In southern Lebanon, four medics were killed in consecutive Israeli strikes near Nabatiyeh, an incident Lebanon has labelled a “war crime.” Meanwhile, Tehran officials report the war’s death toll has reached approximately 5,000.
- Market reaction: Global stocks have ticked upward on hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough, even as oil prices remain volatile near $96 per barrel.
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