First modification: 04/23/2026 - 07:35Last modification: 04/24/2026 - 05:08

The ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has been extended for three weeks after a high-level meeting at the White House, according to President Donald Trump. The American president himself, on another front of the war, ordered the Army to destroy the Iranian vessels blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

The essentials:

This minute by minute has been closed. Below, the main news from this Thursday, April 23, about the conflicts in the Middle East, on a day marked by talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington:

Trump says he is unaware of the proposal for Italy to replace Iran in the World Cup

The American president, Donald Trump, seemed to be unaware this Thursday of the proposal made by someone close to him for Italy to replace Iran in the soccer World Cup that the United States will host along with Mexico and Canada starting in June at a time marked by the war against the Islamic Republic.

"I'm not thinking much about it," Trump responded to the media during an event held in the Oval Office of the White House when asked about the proposal.

Rubio denies that the United States is trying to exclude Iranian players from the World Cup

The United States will not exclude Iran from the World Cup it hosts, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday, after an official speculated about the possibility of replacing war-torn Iran with Italy, which did not qualify.

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

Trump says leaders of Lebanon and Israel could meet in the next three weeks

Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire for three weeks, Trump announces

Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend the ceasefire for three more weeks, US President Donald Trump announced this Thursday after a meeting with representatives of both countries at the White House.

With this announcement, the truce declared on April 16 is extended, which established an initial period of ten days of cessation of Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, while both parties seek a definitive peace agreement.

Trump: Americans should prepare to pay more for gas "for a while."

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday that Americans should expect to pay higher prices for gasoline "for a while."

Energy prices have risen around the world since the start of the war with Iran in late February.

Trump says Iran could have resupplied during two-week truce

Donald Trump suggested Iran might have loaded up its weapons "a little bit" during the two-week ceasefire, but added that the US military can neutralize it in about a day.

Hezbollah launches attacks against Israel in full meeting of this country and Lebanon at the White House

Trump says 'no one should ever be allowed to use a nuclear weapon'

US President Donald Trump assured that he has no intention of carrying out a nuclear attack against Iran and considered that "no one should ever be allowed to use a nuclear weapon."

Uncertainty over Hormuz triggers oil prices

The barrel of Brent oil rose 3.10% this Wednesday, to $105.07 at the close of the session in the London futures market, one of the highest prices reached in recent months and which reflects the lack of confidence in a prompt solution to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel denies attacks on Iran after activating air defenses in Tehran

Israel denies that it is carrying out military operations in Iranian territory, in response to information about the activation of air defenses in Tehran.

According to what an Israeli security source told the EFE agency, "Israel is not carrying out any military operation in Iranian territory."

The reaction comes after several Iranian media reported the activation of air defense systems in Tehran without offering details about the reason.

Trump says he will only make a deal with Iran when it is "appropriate" for the US, while attacking the press

"For those people - fewer and fewer - who read the decadent The New York Times or watch the fake news CNN, and who think that I am eager to end the war (if you can call it that!) with Iran, I inform you that I am possibly the least pressured person who has ever held this position. I have all the time in the world, but Iran does not: the clock is ticking! The reason some media outlets do so badly with subscribers and viewers is because they no longer have credibility," Trump assured on his Truth Social platform.

"Iran's Navy lies at the bottom of the sea, its Air Force is destroyed, its anti-aircraft and radar weapons are gone, its leaders are no longer with us, the blockade is airtight and solid, and from there the situation only gets worse: time is not on its side! An agreement will only be reached when it is appropriate and beneficial to the United States of America, our allies, and indeed the rest of the world," he added.

Air defense systems "attacking hostile targets" in Tehran reported: Mehr agency

The capital of Iran, Tehran, activated its air defense systems on Thursday night, while explosions were heard in the western part of the city. The semi-official Mehr news agency said the measure was directed against "hostile targets", without giving further details.

Several witnesses indicated that air defense systems were also heard southwest of the city. The state press has not yet reported on the incident.

Some Iranian media had reported on Wednesday that a test of such systems was being carried out.

"There are no radicals or moderates; we are all Iranians and revolutionaries": President Masoud Pzeshkian

"In Iran there are no radicals or moderates; we are all Iranians and revolutionaries and, with the iron unity of the nation and the government, with total obedience to the supreme leader of the Revolution, we will make the criminal aggressor repent of his actions. One God, one nation, one leader and one path; that path is the path to the victory of our beloved Iran, more precious than life," the Iranian president published on his platform account X. the Iranian president published on his platform account x.

Pope Leo XIV urges the US and Iran to resume talks

Following a trip marked by the public exchange of statements between Pope Leo XIV and US President Donald Trump about the war, Leo XIV urged the United States and Iran to resume negotiations.

The pontiff called for a new “culture of peace” that replaces the resort to violence whenever conflicts arise and said the question is not whether the Iranian regime should change or not. “The question should be how to promote the values ​​we believe in without the death of so many innocent people.”

The top leader of the Catholic Church revealed that he carries with him the photo of a Lebanese Muslim boy who died in Israel's recent war against Hezbollah. The minor had been photographed holding a sign welcoming the pope during his visit to Lebanon last year. “As a pastor, I cannot be in favor of war (...) I would like to encourage everyone to find answers that arise from a culture of peace and not from hatred and division,” he told reporters aboard his plane.

The Vatican leader also strongly condemned the executions by the Iranian regime.

Tehran charges tolls in Hormuz, while the United States inspects ships with Iranian crude oil

The Islamic Republic confirmed its first income of money for allowing the passage of certain ships in the Strait of Hormuz after announcing its partial closure. The measure coincides with inspections by the US Department of Defense of Iranian shipments and keeps the markets in suspense: Brent exceeds $101, while European stock markets react with falls.

Israeli army says it killed two people in southern Lebanon

The Israeli Army reported this Thursday that it "killed" two armed individuals in the Aainata area, in southern Lebanon, after identifying them approaching soldiers and posing what it described as "an immediate threat."

However, the military institution has not clarified whether the incident is related to the attacks previously reported in nearby areas by the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

An Israeli settler-soldier shoots into a school and kills Aws and Jihad, Palestinians from Al-Mughayyir

The Lebanese cabinet analyzes the possible accession to the International Criminal Court

Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri stated that this Thursday ministers discussed the possibility of joining the International Criminal Court (ICC), a permanent court that tries people for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, for a certain period.

This move would represent a significant change for Lebanon, which is not a member of the Court. Mitri stated that it would allow the ICC to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on Lebanese territory.

Lebanon has accused Israel of war crimes and repeated violations of international law during the recent war with Hezbollah.

From the ground: these are Lebanon's requests in a new round of negotiations with Israel

Director of largest shipping association calls for stable ceasefire and guarantees for transit through the Strait of Hormuz

The security director of BIMCO, the world's largest international shipping association, declared Thursday that shipping companies need guarantees from both Iran and the United States to transit this vital sea lane.

Demining efforts are also needed as they represent a "particular concern," Jakob Larsen said in a statement, adding that the process could take several weeks.

Hours earlier, US President Donald Trump announced on social media that the military is intensifying its demining efforts in the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz remains completely closed this Thursday, as tension between the United States and Iran continues to escalate in the Persian Gulf.

With information from EFE, AFP, Reuters, AP and local media

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