President Donald Trump speaks with reporters on Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Washington. JEN GOLBECK / AP
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday, April 16 that Washington and Tehran were "very close" to a peace deal and insisted that Iran had agreed to hand over its enriched uranium, a key sticking point in negotiations. The United States had earlier threatened to resume airstrikes on the Islamic Republic and maintain a naval blockade of its ports if Tehran refused to accept a deal to solve the conflict that broke out on February 28.
At the same time, a ceasefire came into effect between Israel and Lebanon – a 10-day truce – with Trump saying he expected the two countries' leaders at the White House within "four or five days." Hezbollah has not said if it recognizes the ceasefire – but a senior figure said it would respect it if Israeli attacks on the militants stopped.
But Israel's army said it was striking Hezbollah rocket launchers after fire from Lebanon shortly before the ceasefire was due to begin. The prime ministers of both countries welcomed the ceasefire, which came days after the US and Iran agreed to a separate truce and as Pakistan pursued diplomatic efforts to arrange a new round of talks between foes Washington and Tehran.
