Iran Tensions Rise: Trump Extends Ceasefire Amid Conflict

US President Donald Trump extends the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon by three weeks after talks at the White House. He says he could strike a deal with Iran but prefers an “everlasting” agreement. Meanwhile, tensions rise as an Israeli strike in Lebanon kills three, and Iran blames the US for stalled negotiations. In the Strait of Hormuz, Trump vows to destroy any vessel laying mines, intensifying pressure on Iran. Analysts argue this could be a cover for a possible new conflict. Iran's leaders assert unity in the face of US sanctions, suggesting they can endure the blockade longer than the US can sustain its pressure. Adding to the military presence, the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier joins two other US warships in the region. As Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits Pakistan, the US is also sending envoys there. In the Gulf, rebuilding trust between the UAE and Iran seems a distant goal, according to UAE officials. This situation is critical because it could shape the future of peace and stability in the Middle East for years to come.