Iran war day 49: What’s happening in Lebanon, Tehran and the Middle East?

Iran war: What is happening on day 49 of the US-Iran conflict?

Celebrations in Lebanon as a 10-day ceasefire begins, opening the door to talks on a longer-term Israel-Lebanon deal.

Displaced people make their way home towards southern Lebanon [File: Reuters]

Celebrations have been reported in Lebanon after a 10-day ceasefire took effect, paving the way for talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials on a longer-term deal, according to the US State Department.

United States President Donald Trump has said an agreement to end the war on Iran is “very close”, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed the truce, framing it as part of a broader effort with Washington to pause the regional conflict.

This is what we know:

In Iran

Deal ‘very close’: Trump said an agreement to end the war on Iran is near, with the next round of talks possibly this weekend in Islamabad.
‘Despite progress, gaps remain’: Tehran-based analyst Abas Aslani said US-Iran talks have advanced, but key differences persist, with both sides preparing for either a negotiated deal or a return to war, as Trump appears to seek an “off-ramp” from the conflict.
Iranian tankers exit Gulf: Three Iranian oil tankers carrying a total of five million barrels of crude have become the first such loaded vessels to leave the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz since a US blockade came into force, the tracking firm Kpler told AFP.
Hormuz ‘completely open’:Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz will remain “completely open” as long as a ceasefire in Lebanon lasts.

In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran

— Syed Abbas Araghchi (@Araghchhi) April 17, 2026

War diplomacy

France, UK rally allies: Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer led talks in Paris on a multinational force to secure trade through the Strait of Hormuz after the war ends.

Russia hails ceasefire: Moscow backed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, and said it hoped the pause in fighting could pave the way for a longer-term agreement.

In the US

Trump says blockade on: Trump said the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a peace deal with Tehran.

‘No sticking points’ in Iran talks: The US president said a deal is “very close” and could be “very good for everybody”. Iran has not responded to the remarks.

Trump hopes Hezbollah ‘acts nicely’: Trump said on Thursday he hopes Hezbollah “acts nicely and well” during the 10-day truce.

Trump mocks oil price warnings: Speaking in Las Vegas, Trump dismissed warnings that the war on Iran could push oil to “$300 a barrel”, saying markets remain strong despite volatility and global fuel disruptions linked to the conflict.

In Israel

Netanyahu hails truce: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon offered an opportunity for a “historic peace agreement” with Beirut, but insisted that the disarmament of Hezbollah remained a condition.

Israeli strike kills seven: An Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Ghaziyeh has killed at least seven people and wounded 33, the Health Ministry said, hours before the ceasefire between the two countries went into effect.

Israeli frustration grows: Analyst Abed Abou Shhadeh said many Israelis, especially in the north, feel betrayed, after being promised “absolute victory” and a buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

Key goal out of reach: Israel’s objective of disarming Hezbollah remains elusive, with analysts saying it lacks the troops and capacity to fully occupy Lebanon.

Israeli opposition slams ceasefire: Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticised the Lebanon truce, saying it fails to remove the threat to northern communities, and pledged a future government would take a tougher approach.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid addresses the Knesset, Israel’s parliament [Evelyn Hockstein/Pool via AP]

In Lebanon

Lebanese PM welcomes ceasefire: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he “welcomes” Trump’s announcement of the truce with Israel.

Hezbollah in ceasefire: Trump said the truce between Israel and Lebanon would include Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Hezbollah ‘behind the scenes’: Analyst Rami Khouri says Hezbollah is central to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire but operating “behind a curtain”, with its complex relationship with the Lebanese government shaping how the truce holds.

‘Temporary truce’ fuels fear: Reporting from Sidon, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr said residents remain anxious as Israel demands Hezbollah’s disarmament while refusing to withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Beirut insists on a full Israeli withdrawal – a core divide that leaves the ceasefire fragile and far from permanent.