US-Iran war updates: Netenyahu says no ceasefire in Lebanon as IDF target Herzbolllah threat
LIVE UPDATES: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the IDF ‘will not stop’ after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire over a 10-point plan.
Scroll down for the latest news and updates.
Max Corstorphan is reporting live.
Trump’s NATO deadline: What US wants from Europe
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has told European governments that US President Donald Trump wants concrete commitments within days to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, diplomats say, as the alliance faces US threats to leave.
Mr Rutte, known in Europe as a “Trump whisperer”, is working to defuse a crisis after Mr Trump said he was considering withdrawing from the 32-member transatlantic military alliance, arguing that European allies have relied on US security guarantees while providing inadequate support for the US-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran.
Three diplomats told Reuters that Mr Rutte, who met with the US president at the White House on Wednesday, conveyed Mr Trump’s demands to European countries.
European leaders are under pressure to show they are quickly making tangible plans to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, which is a vital oil transit point that Iran has effectively blocked during the conflict.
Speaking in Washington DC a day after meeting Mr Trump, Mr Rutte said that some alliance members were initially “a bit slow” to provide assistance to the US in Iran and “a bit surprised” but that now there is a “massive amount” of support, including basing and logistics.
“Nearly without exception, allies are doing everything the United States is asking. They have heard and are responding to President Trump’s requests,” Mr Rutte said in a speech hosted by the Ronald Reagan Institute.
Trump’s warning to Iran over Strait of Hormuz charges
Since the US-Iran ceasefire agreement was made, reports have circulated that the 10-point agreement included terms for Iran to charge for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said if Iran was doing this, “they better stop now”.
“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.
It comes after he confirmed that US military ships, aircraft, personnel, weapons and ammo would be staying in and around Iran until a “real agreement” was confirmed.
‘No ceasefire in Lebanon’: Netanyahu’s Hezbollah plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon”, confirming the IDF will continue striking Hezbollah targets, despite claims from Iran stating it is a breach of the US agreement.
“I want to tell you: there is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with force, and we will not stop until we restore your security,” Mr Netanyahu said on Thursday.
Mr Netanyahu, whose government rebuffed a historic offer for direct talks with Lebanon last month, said in a statement that he had given instructions to start peace talks as soon as possible, which would also include disarming Iran-aligned militant group Hezbollah.
“In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to start direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible,” he said.
“The negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.”
