April 16: Iran-US truce extends to Lebanon while US seeks second round of talks

By Press TV Website Staff

On Day 48 of the US-Israeli war on Iran and the resistance axis, diplomatic momentum intensified as Washington announced a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, an outcome Iranian and Hezbollah officials credited to the resistance’s battlefield steadfastness.

With Pakistan continuing its role as mediator, Field Marshal Asim Munir met top Iranian officials in Tehran, while US officials floated the possibility of a second round of talks, and even a potential US President Donald Trump's visit to Pakistan should a deal take shape.

Tehran, meanwhile, warned that any progress depends on Washington’s behaviour, as Iranian military commanders cautioned against continued US provocations in the Strait of Hormuz and reaffirmed the country’s growing military readiness.

Regional and global economic pressures added urgency to de-escalation efforts.

Key developments on day 48 of the war, ninth day of the ceasefire:

• Trump announced that a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday.
• The speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said the ceasefire was achieved through Hezbollah’s steadfast resistance and the unity of the Axis of Resistance, adding that Iran will approach it with caution while honouring its commitments and thanking Pakistan for their mediating efforts.
• The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, General Esmaeil Qa'ani, said Hezbollah's steadfast resistance, with support from Iran, was the decisive factor behind the ceasefire in Lebanon.
• Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military will not withdraw from its positions in southern Lebanon during the ceasefire.
• Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, met with high-ranking Iranian officials in Tehran, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
• The White House expressed optimism about reaching a deal with Iran, noting that a potential second round of talks would likely be held in Pakistan.
• Trump suggested that another round of in-person negotiations with Iran could occur over the weekend.
• Trump said that he would consider travelling to Pakistan to sign a peace deal if the US and Iran reach an agreement to end the war.
• Qalibaf, in a meeting with the Pakistani army chief, said the US is undermining regional peace by breaching its commitments, warning its actions could “prevent measures from reaching a result.”
• Adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that Iran could target US ships if Washington continues to enforce its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of consequences over US “provocative actions” in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz during a call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
• Leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said the United States agreed to a ceasefire with Iran “out of necessity”, stressing that Washington made the hard choice after the US-Israeli military coalition was defeated in its war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.
• Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said all UN members should call for the US and Israel to be held accountable and prosecuted over their recent "brutal aggression" against Tehran, in violation of international humanitarian law.
• Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, Major General Ali Abdollahi, said Iran’s Armed Forces are fully prepared for all-out defence of the country against aggressors.
• Commander of the Iranian Army Major General Amir Hatami stated that the US and the Zionist regime will take their futile wishful thinking and desperate desire to subjugate the Iranian nation to their graves.
• The deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Alireza Sheikh, said Iran increased the production rate of attack drones tenfold during the seven months after the US-Israeli war in June last year.
• The Pentagon has pushed American automakers to manufacture arms as arsenals of the United States are running out of weapons, the Wall Street Journal reported, nearly 50 days after a US-Israeli military coalition waged a war of aggression against Iran.
• Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Shehbaz Sharif met in Jeddah to discuss regional issues, including Iran-US negotiations.
• Trump discussed regional developments and energy concerns, specifically regarding the oil market and gas prices, with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
• Trump said that gas prices are “not very high” and suggested that oil prices would go lower than pre-war levels once a deal is reached.
• The US Senate rejected efforts to limit US involvement in the war and blocked measures targeting arms sales to Israel.
• The World Bank’s chief economist said the war could push millions more towards hunger as its economic fallout reverberates around the globe.
• Major Wall Street stock indices finished at record highs on Wednesday following optimism about an agreement in the US-Israeli war on Iran.
• A report issued by the Israeli regime's central bank estimates that the financial cost of warfare initiated by Netanyahu’s cabinet as of October 7, 2023, will reach approximately $112 billion over the 2023-2026 period.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir