This live blog follows updates for Day 49 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 48, go here.
- Donald Trump announces a 10-day Israel–Lebanon ceasefire, urging Hezbollah compliance
- United Nations, global leaders welcome truce, emphasizing need for lasting peace
- International Monetary Fund warns war may severely impact vulnerable economies beyond Middle East
- Iran supports ceasefire but doubts US intentions ahead of future negotiations
- Israel and Lebanon ceasefire begins amid tensions, uncertainty over long-term stability.
Trump characterizes Iran war as a 'little diversion'
Published: April 17, 2026 | 08:35GMT | By Web Desk
United States President Donald Trump said US had the “best economy” in the history of the country “despite our little diversion to the lovely country of Iran”
“Lovely place. But we had to do that, because otherwise bad things could happen. Really bad things,” he said adding that they were “going to see some incredible results.”
"The economy is booming. Our economy is booming,” he said.
“We're going to have victory very shortly," he added.
South Korea pledges $4.1bn stimulus amid global risks from US-Iran war
Published: April 17, 2026 | 01:42GMT | By Web Desk
South Korea’s Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol has announced that his government will “proactively” respond to the impact on livelihoods and supply chains due to the US-Israel war on Iran, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reports.
“Until the end of the war becomes clear, we will firmly maintain an emergency economic response system and actively address supply chain issues and difficulties in people’s livelihoods,” he said.
US says 12 ships, 100 aircraft involved in blockade of Iranian ports
Published: April 17, 2026 | 01:42GMT | By Web Desk
The US Central Command has said that it has deployed 12 ships, 100 aircraft and more than 10,000 troops to enforce its ongoing blockade of Iranian ports.
As we reported earlier, CENTCOM claimed that 14 vessels have so far “turned around to comply with the blockade” since it took effect.
CENTCOM also said that US forces are not blocking the Strait of Hormuz but only “Iran’s ports and coastline”.
Iran war ‘should be ending pretty soon’, says Trump
Published: April 17, 2026 | 01:06GMT | By Web Desk
US President Donald Trump spoke at an event in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he said that the war in Iran is going “swimmingly” and that it “should be ending pretty soon,” Al Jazeera reported.
Trump says hopes Hezbollah 'acts nicely' during Lebanon-Israel ceasefire
Published: April 16, 2026 | 23:46GMT | By Web Desk
US President Donald Trump said he hopes the Hezbollah fighter group "acts nicely and well" during the 10-day ceasefire reached just hours earlier between Lebanon and Israel.
"I hope Hezbollah acts nicely and well during this important period of time," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform as he arrived for a speech in Las Vegas. "It will be (a) GREAT moment for them if they do. No more killing. Must finally have PEACE!"
IMF warns of war's human impact far from Middle East
Published: April 16, 2026 | 23:17GMT | By Web Desk
IMF economists warned that the war in Iran could have “very, certainly severe” consequences far outside the region — especially for energy-importing countries.
"Oil-impacted importers, particularly non-resource-rich and fragile states, face deteriorating trade balances, rising living costs and limited buffers," warned Abebe Selassie, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Director for Africa, at a press conference Thursday.
"The human consequences are almost certain to be severe," he added.
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