Cairo | Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, President Donald Trump announced Thursday, two days after the countries held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington.
The truce that Trump said was scheduled to begin at 5 pm Eastern follows more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.
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.
The president also invited the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to the White House for the countries' first high-level talks since 1983.
Trump announced the pause in fighting on social media, saying it followed “excellent” conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump said he has directed Vice President JD Vance others to work with Israel and Lebanon to “achieve a Lasting PEACE”.
Washington | US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday urged Iran to make a deal.
Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon that “ultimately, they need to come to the table and make a deal.”
He said the US will ensure Iran never has a nuclear weapon.
“We'd prefer to do it the nice way through a deal led by our great vice president and negotiating team. Or we can do it the hard way,” Hegseth said.
Iran has repeatedly insisted that it doesn't seek a nuclear weapon and that its programme is for peaceful purposes.
Later in the news briefing, Hegseth said to Iran's government: “I pray you choose a deal, which is within your grasp for the betterment of your people and for the betterment of the world.”