Trump says in no rush to make a deal with Iran

This live blog follows updates for Day 56 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 55, go here.

• Trump rules out using nuclear, says no pressure but "clock is ticking" for Iran
• US claims ‘total control’ of Hormuz, orders navy to "shoot and kill" boats laying mines
• UN "working on" keeping presence in Lebanon, leaders accuse Israel of war crime
• Iran official says Tehran receives first revenue from Strait of Hormuz tolls
• Araghchi urges clear stance in condemning 'crimes against Iranian people'  

French, UK defense chiefs eye 'real progress' in Hormuz plan

Published: April 24, 2026 | 00:47MT | by Web Desk

Britain and France voiced hope that military plans to secure the Strait of Hormuz were coming together and would succeed in restoring trade flows through the vital passage.

At a two-day meeting in London, military planners discussed the practicalities of a multinational mission led by the UK and France to protect navigation in the key waterway following a sustainable ceasefire, top defense officials said.

Trump says in no rush to make a deal with Iran

Published: April 24, 2026 | 00:25GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump has said that he was in no rush to make a deal with Iran, as the US military struck 78% of the targets that they wanted to hit. 

The US president said that he was not under any pressure for time, rather he wanted to make a "great deal" for his country.

"So, right now, I don't want to rush it," he said.

Trump says ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon extended by 3 weeks

Published: April 23, 2026 | 22:13 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump has said that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks, adding that he was looking forward to meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

“The Meeting went very well! The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. 

“It was a Great Honor to 7be a participant at this very Historic Meeting!” he added.

Press freedom group ‘appalled’ by ‘horrific’ killing of Amal Khalil

Published: April 23, 2026 | 22:01 GMT | by Web Desk

The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) has said it is “deeply saddened and appalled” by the killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil in an Israeli strike on “the house where she was seeking shelter.”

“Journalists are our eyewitnesses to history; attempts to silence their voices must be met with international scrutiny and outrage,” the IWMF said in a statement.

The IWMF noted that the “horrific incident” occurred during a truce and that there is “mounting evidence that Israel is targeting reporters.”

“Journalists should never be the object of military operations,” the IWMF added, calling for accountability for Khalil’s killing.

Rubio denies US trying to exclude Iran players from World Cup

Published: April 23, 2026 | 22:01 GMT | by Web Desk

The United States will not exclude Iran from the World Cup tournament it is hosting, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday, after an official mused about replacing war-battered Iran with Italy, which did not qualify.

"The problem with Iran, it would be not their athletes. It would be some of the other people that we want to bring with them," Rubio told reporters, denying Washington had asked the Iranian team not to come.

Trump eyes Lebanon-Israel meeting in weeks, deal this year

Published: April 23, 2026 | 21:53 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said he expected the Israeli and Lebanese leaders to meet with him over the next couple of weeks and voiced hope for a permanent peace deal this year.

"I think there's a very good chance of having peace. I think it should be an easy one," Trump told reporters as he met the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to announce an extension of a shaky ceasefire.