Middle East crisis live: Trump casts doubt on Iran war ceasefire over continued closure of strait of Hormuz

Lead

The two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan, is showing signs of strain just days after it was announced. President Donald Trump has accused Tehran of doing a "very poor job" of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon, which Iran claims violate the truce. Delegations from both countries are set to meet in Pakistan this weekend for talks aimed at ending the conflict.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from multiple outlets outline a fragile truce that could unravel quickly. ABC Australia quotes Israel's ambassador, Hillel Newman, admitting that Israel did not anticipate Iran's closure of the strait when it decided to go to war. Al Jazeera and The Guardian both report Trump's social media warnings that US forces would remain in place until the "REAL AGREEMENT" is fully implemented, with Trump threatening "the 'Shootin' Starts'" if it is not. The Economist's "World This Week" section notes the ceasefire was "soon on shaky ground" as Iran continued to threaten shipping and launched missiles at Gulf states.

The Guardian highlights the divergent interpretations of the ceasefire's scope: Iran and Pakistan assert it includes Lebanon, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists there is "no ceasefire in Lebanon" and that Israel will continue striking Hezbollah. The Jerusalem Post reports on US intelligence assessments indicating that Iran believes it is in a strong position to continue the war and is unwilling to negotiate a permanent end, while The Hindu notes that Iran claimed credit for the subsequent Lebanon ceasefire, saying its pressure forced Trump to intervene.

Key Claims

• Hormuz blockade and the ceasefire: Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Israeli attack, causing the worst-ever disruption to global energy supplies. The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Pakistan, includes Iran lifting the blockade, but Trump said Iran is doing a "very poor job" of allowing oil to pass through. In the first 24 hours of the truce, only a single oil products tanker and five dry bulk carriers sailed through the strait, compared to about 140 ships a day before the war.

• Israel's surprise at Iran's response: Ambassador Hillel Newman told the ABC's Insiders: On Background podcast that Israel "would assume that Iran would not affect the global community and the supply chains of energy for the entire world because of their predicament." He admitted the closure was "not part of our planning" and that Israel also did not expect Iran to launch retaliation attacks on Gulf countries, including those without diplomatic relations with Israel, like Oman and Qatar.

• Trump's claims of concessions: In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump claimed Iran had agreed to open the strait and "never close" it again, would turn over its "nuclear dust," and that Israel would be "prohibited" from attacking Lebanon. Iran has confirmed reopening the strait for the "duration" of the pause but has not officially responded to many of Trump's broader claims. Trump called Friday "A GREAT AND BRILLIANT DAY FOR THE WORLD!" and told Bloomberg News he expects a permanent ceasefire deal soon.

• Israel's attacks on Lebanon: Israel launched its heaviest attack of the war on Lebanon, killing at least 254 people and wounding 837, according to one report. The attacks have continued despite the ceasefire, and Iran cited them as a key sticking point for the truce.

• Intelligence assessments: The Jerusalem Post, citing US intelligence assessments reported by the New York Times, said the Iranian regime believes it is in a strong enough position to continue the war and not cede to US demands. Iranian and Pakistani officials told the NYT that Iran could engage in diplomacy under the right conditions but needs to see US seriousness about ending the war rather than negotiating a temporary ceasefire.

• Economic impact: The closure of the strait has caused a surge in global oil prices, with Trump's statements seen as an attempt to talk down prices and reassure markets. The Economist noted that Iran continued to threaten shipping and launched missiles at Gulf states and Saudi Arabia's pipeline carrying oil from the Gulf to the Red Sea.

Perspectives

• United States (Donald Trump): Trump has presented the ceasefire as a victory, claiming Iran agreed to open the strait and never close it again, and that he secured major concessions. He has also warned that US forces will remain deployed until the "REAL AGREEMENT" is fully implemented, threatening overwhelming military action if Tehran fails to comply.

• Iran: Iranian officials have disputed Trump's claims, with the foreign ministry spokesperson denying there was a ceasefire request from Tehran and calling Trump's account "false and baseless." Iran insists the ceasefire covers Lebanon and has halted oil tankers in response to Israel's alleged ceasefire breach. It has said it reopened the strait for the duration of the pause but has not confirmed the broader concessions Trump claims.

• Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there is "no ceasefire in Lebanon" and that Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah. Ambassador Newman acknowledged the challenges, admitting Israel was surprised by the scope of Iran's response, but stressed that Iran's nuclear ambitions need to be addressed.

• Pakistan (mediator): Pakistan brokered the ceasefire and is hosting negotiations in Islamabad. Both Iran and Pakistan asserted that the ceasefire included Lebanon, aligning with Iran's position on the scope of the deal.

• Lebanon (Hezbollah): Reports indicate that Lebanon is the site of the heaviest fighting, with Israel's attacks killing hundreds. Iran has linked continued attacks on Lebanon to its willingness to uphold the ceasefire, while the US has pushed Israel to "low-key" its operations to smooth the path for talks.