Israeli soldiers on the Israel–Lebanon border in March|IDF Spokesperson's Unit|CC BY-SA 3.0
President Donald Trump announced yesterday that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by three weeks following a second round of peace talks in Washington.
However, the same day, Trump also said he authorized the US Navy to “shoot and kill” Iranian boats that are found deploying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait typically handles 20% of all globally traded crude oil and natural gas, and Iranian forces have disrupted travel in the water body ever since the joint US-Israeli strikes on the country on February 28.
The escalation comes as the US military seized another tanker linked to Iranian oil smuggling, further intensifying the standoff with Tehran.
Broader peace efforts between the two countries remain stalled. Iran has refused to attend talks until the US lifts its port blockade, while the White House demands that Tehran first reopen the Hormuz passage.