Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:25pm on 17 Apr 2026,Friday International
US President Donald Trump claimed a diplomatic breakthrough after Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz during a ceasefire linked to Israel-Lebanon tensions. Trump said most terms of a US-Iran deal are already negotiated and could conclude soon, while maintaining a naval blockade targeting Iran. He credited Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar for facilitating talks, and criticised NATO as ineffective. Trump also asserted that the US has prohibited Israel from attacking Lebanon and vowed to address Hezbollah separately. He further claimed Iran is removing sea mines with US assistance and has agreed not to weaponise the Strait again, signalling possible de-escalation in West Asia.
