US-Iran war updates: Trump issues ‘shoot and kill’ order as US Navy targets Iranian boats in Strait of Hormuz

Donald Trump and other US officials are increasingly framing Hezbollah as the central barrier to peace between Israel and Lebanon, arguing that tensions between the two nations could ease if the group stepped back.

Speaking at the White House talks, US envoy to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested the broader relationship between the countries isn’t the core issue, but rather the instability created by Hezbollah’s actions.

Using a blunt analogy, Mr Huckabee likened the situation to neighbours unable to get along because of one disruptive presence, while Mr Trump reinforced the message, telling reporters that “everybody seems to be united” against the group.

The comments underscore a growing US push to isolate Hezbollah diplomatically, even as the region remains on edge.

Donald Trump has announced a three-week extension to the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, following talks at the White House he described as going “very well”.

In a social media post, Mr Trump also revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun are expected to visit Washington “in the near future”, signalling a potential next step in negotiations.

But it was his pledge that the US would work with Lebanon to help it “protect itself” from Hezbollah that raised eyebrows.

Whether that points to deeper military involvement remains unclear, but in a region already on edge, the language suggests the situation could shift quickly.

US President Donald Trump will greet Lebanese and Israeli envoys at the White House as they meet for a second round of US-facilitated talks.

Lebanon is seeking to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, a day after Israeli strikes killed at least five people, including a journalist.

The ceasefire, reached after talks between the two countries’ ambassadors to Washington DC last week and set to expire on Sunday, has yielded a significant reduction in violence.

Attacks have continued in southern Lebanon, however, where Israeli troops have seized a self-declared buffer zone.

Iran-aligned Hezbollah says it has “the right to resist” occupying forces.

Read more.

Donald Trump says he has “all the time in the world” to end the conflict with Iran, brushing off suggestions he’s under pressure as tensions drag on.

In a fiery social media post, Mr Trump insisted he’s in no rush, claiming Iran’s military has already been weakened and warning that “the clock is ticking” for Tehran, not Washington.

Despite the tough rhetoric, the situation remains complicated.

Iran has pulled out of recent negotiations and moved to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, escalating global concerns. But the conflict is proving politically tricky at home, with the war unpopular among US voters and no clear timeline for a resolution.

US President Donald Trump says he has ordered the United States military to “shoot and kill” small Iranian boats that deploy mines to choke traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Mr Trump’s early morning post on social media came shortly after the US military seized another tanker associated with the smuggling of Iranian oil, ratcheting up a stand-off over the strait through which 20 per cent of all crude oil and natural gas traded passes.

“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be ... that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Mr Trump posted.

“There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now.”

“I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!” Trump added.

He also said the military is intensifying mine clearing operations in the critical waterway.