Displaced Lebanese residents have begun returning to their homes in southern Lebanon after a 10-day truce between Lebanon and Israel took effect. Tens of thousands traveled back to devastated towns such as Nabatieh, despite warnings from the Lebanese army to delay their return and Hezbollah’s caution that it remains ready to respond to any Israeli violations. The ceasefire, which followed more than a month of Israeli air strikes and ground operations, has so far largely held, though Lebanon’s army reported intermittent shelling and other breaches. A boy was killed by unexploded ordnance in Majdal Selem, and rescuers recovered 13 bodies in Tyre from attacks that occurred before the truce.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned that ongoing military activity could undermine the ceasefire and urged protection for civilians on both sides. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the truce did not end Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, while Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the ceasefire a gateway to direct negotiations aimed at securing Israel’s withdrawal and prisoner recovery.

The truce could also ease tensions in broader US-Iran talks, with Pakistan and Iran viewing the agreement as a step toward regional stability.

The United Nations has reported that around 900 Rohingya refugees died at sea in 2025, marking the deadliest year on record for the region. The announcement came on Friday following a shipwreck earlier this month that left hundreds missing. UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said in a briefing in Geneva that the deaths occurred in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

According to UNHCR data, over 6,500 Rohingya attempted dangerous sea journeys last year, with one in every seven either missing or dead. Baloch noted that this represents the highest mortality rate among major sea routes used by refugees and migrants worldwide.

Most of the Rohingya begin their journeys from overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where more than one million refugees live after fleeing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The region continues to face intense fighting between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army, worsening conditions for civilians and prompting more to attempt perilous escapes by sea.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described Iran’s decision to fully open the Strait of Hormuz for the remainder of the ceasefire as a “right step.” In a statement cited by BBC, Guterres said that the full restoration of international navigation rights and freedoms in the Strait must be respected by all parties.

The statement added that Guterres hopes this measure, alongside the ongoing ceasefire, will help build trust among the involved parties. He also expressed optimism that it would strengthen the dialogue currently being mediated by Pakistan.

The UN chief’s remarks come amid efforts to maintain stability in the region and ensure the free movement of international maritime traffic through one of the world’s most critical waterways.

U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected an offer of assistance from NATO to help ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said NATO had contacted him with a proposal to support operations in the area, but he advised the alliance to stay away. He remarked that NATO could only come if it wanted to refuel its ships and criticized the alliance as a 'paper tiger.'

The rejection follows earlier tensions when several NATO member states declined to join a U.S.-led naval blockade in the same region. Trump’s latest comments highlight the continuing strain between Washington and its traditional allies over security cooperation in the Gulf. He also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar for their courage and cooperation during the crisis.

Trump’s stance toward NATO has sparked renewed debate in international circles about the future of transatlantic defense coordination amid ongoing instability in the Hormuz Strait.

A senior Iranian military official announced that all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz must now obtain permission from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The directive was disclosed in an interview with Iran’s state television. Another Iranian government official told Reuters that commercial vessels, including those flying the U.S. flag, will be allowed passage, but warships or naval vessels from any country will not receive authorization.

Tehran indicated that the move aims to maintain security and control over the strategic waterway, which is vital for global energy trade. The decision comes amid renewed tensions surrounding the strait, drawing international attention to Iran’s assertion of authority over the route.

The statement reinforces Iran’s position that while commercial trade will continue, it will not tolerate foreign military presence in the area, underscoring its firm stance on sovereignty and regional control.

Britain and France have announced a joint international mission aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement after a meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, stating that the mission will begin once conditions are favorable. The initiative is described as peaceful and defensive, focusing on protecting commercial vessels and assisting in mine clearance at sea.

Starmer called on other nations to join the mission, noting that at least a dozen countries have already pledged resources and equipment. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global energy trade, and recent tensions have heightened concerns over maritime security in the area.

According to Starmer, maintaining the safety of this route is a collective responsibility of the international community to protect global trade interests.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that military operations against Hezbollah would continue, only hours after a ten-day ceasefire took effect in Lebanon. In a recorded message, he stated that Israel’s mission to eliminate Hezbollah was not yet complete and that the military had specific plans to counter remaining rocket and drone threats. Netanyahu reiterated that destroying Hezbollah’s military capability remained Israel’s main objective.

In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning on social media, declaring that Israel would no longer be allowed to bomb Lebanon. Expressing frustration, Trump wrote, “Enough is enough.” His statement came as a direct rebuke to Netanyahu’s stance, signaling a rare public disagreement between the two allies.

Observers fear that Netanyahu’s declaration could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire, especially after the United States, Israel’s key ally, openly opposed further military action. The next steps from the Israeli leadership remain uncertain amid growing international scrutiny.

Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain fully open to all commercial vessels during the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the decision on social media, stating that the move aligns with Iran’s support for peace and solidarity with the Lebanese truce. The permission for cargo and trade ships will remain valid for the duration of the ceasefire.

Despite Iran’s announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the existing naval blockade on Iran will remain in force. He emphasized that the blockade would not be relaxed until all aspects of a pending agreement with Iran are finalized. Trump expressed optimism that the process could conclude soon, citing progress in negotiations on most key points.

The statement came amid international efforts to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts view Trump’s firm stance as a signal that Washington intends to maintain pressure on Tehran to secure a swift and comprehensive deal. The blockade continues to target Iran’s oil exports and broader trade activities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has agreed never to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz again. He made the statement in a social media post, asserting that the waterway will never again be used as a weapon against the world. According to Trump, Tehran has consented to keep the strait permanently open for all commercial navigation.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply is transported. Over the past decades, Iran has repeatedly threatened to block the route amid regional tensions. Trump’s claim, if accurate, would mark a significant shift in Iran’s stance and could ease long-standing concerns over energy security and global trade stability.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that confirmation of such an agreement could bring major stability to international energy markets. However, as of now, there has been no official confirmation from Iran regarding Trump’s statement.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed willingness to provide military assistance to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a press conference on April 17, 2026, he urged all parties to intensify diplomatic efforts to ease ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States and to promote lasting peace in the Middle East.

Merz described Iran’s recent announcement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as a positive development but emphasized that the passage must remain permanent, safe, and completely free of tariffs. He also highlighted that both Hezbollah and Israel now have a historic opportunity to establish long-term peace. The chancellor noted that any German participation in such a mission would require approval from both the United Nations and the German Parliament.

Merz further stated that U.S. involvement in the proposed mission would be particularly desirable, and Germany’s assistance could include military cooperation and technical support such as mine clearance operations.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is currently verifying recent announcements regarding the reopening of the Hormuz Strait for commercial navigation. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated on Friday that the organization is focusing on ensuring freedom of navigation for all commercial vessels and adherence to the IMO’s Traffic Separation Scheme to guarantee safe passage. He emphasized that under international law, no country has the right to close this international waterway.

Earlier, Iran and the United States had separately declared that the Hormuz Strait would remain open to commercial ships, particularly during the ongoing ten-day ceasefire in Lebanon. Tehran confirmed that there would be no restrictions on maritime trade during this period. Dominguez added that the safe repatriation of around 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor are among the IMO’s top priorities.

He called on all parties to engage in constructive diplomatic dialogue to calm the situation and restore normal maritime supply routes, stressing that reopening this vital route is essential for global stability and energy security.

Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain fully open to all commercial vessels during the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the decision in a post on social media platform X, stating that the move aligns with Iran’s support for the ceasefire and aims to maintain regional peace. The permission for cargo and trade ships to pass through the vital waterway will remain effective for the duration of the ceasefire.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical routes for global energy and trade, carrying nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas. The decision is being viewed internationally as a positive step toward stability. Iran had previously indicated that it would ensure safe passage through the strait if attacks against it ceased and regional stability was maintained.

Following weeks of conflict and tension that raised global concerns about maritime security, Iran’s latest announcement is expected to ease fears over energy supply and trade safety in international markets.

Thousands of displaced Lebanese have begun returning to their homes in Beirut’s southern suburbs and towns across southern Lebanon after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect. The return started early Friday amid cautious celebrations, with heavy traffic reported on northern roads leading back to the capital’s southern districts. Many returnees expressed joy by flashing victory signs as they made their way home after being forced to flee during the conflict.

Despite the ceasefire, the situation remains tense and far from normal. People are still cautious, and the country faces significant challenges in recovering from the damage caused by the fighting. The ceasefire has temporarily halted hostilities, but rebuilding lives and restoring normalcy will take time for Lebanon’s affected communities.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has warned that its fighters will be ready to respond if Israel violates the newly declared ceasefire. The warning was issued through Hezbollah-owned Al-Manar TV, where the group stated that its fighters would keep their fingers on the trigger to counter any perceived betrayal or deception by Israel.

The ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was announced earlier by US President Donald Trump, who said that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to begin a formal 10-day truce aimed at achieving peace. The statement from Hezbollah came shortly after this announcement, signaling the group’s distrust of Israel’s intentions.

The development follows months of tension along the Lebanon-Israel border, and the warning underscores Hezbollah’s readiness to resume hostilities if the ceasefire terms are breached.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israel will not withdraw from areas it currently occupies in Lebanon, even if a formal agreement is reached between the two countries. He stated that Israeli forces will maintain their positions in those territories, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Katz emphasized that the main objective of the Israeli military is to disarm Hezbollah, whether through military or diplomatic means. He described the direct involvement of the United States and Washington’s pressure on the Lebanese government as major diplomatic tools to achieve this goal. The minister made it clear that the territories under Israeli control will remain so, and hinted that the army will not retreat until the threat from Hezbollah is completely eliminated.

The report cited Al Jazeera as its source for the statements and developments surrounding the issue.