The US-Iran ceasefire is showing signs of strain as Israel strikes Lebanon - with JD Vance telling Netanyahu to "check themselves" or risk derailing the truce.
Trump ally JD Vance told reporters Israel should 'check themselves' (Image: Getty)
The fragile US-Iran ceasefire is already showing cracks, with Israeli forces pressing ahead with strikes across southern Lebanon — the stronghold of Tehran-backed Hezbollah — despite the truce.
Trump personally called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to urge restraint, asking him to dial back the assault to give the coming negotiations a chance to succeed, two senior administration officials told NBC News. Trump confirmed the call in an interview with the network on Thursday.
"I spoke with Bibi and he's going to low-key it. I just think we have to be sort of a little more low-key," he said.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking to reporters in Hungary on Wednesday, echoed the message — suggesting the Israelis may "check themselves a little bit" in their campaign against Lebanon.
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Japan said it will release an additional 20 days’ worth of oil reserves in May, in a second round address supply uncertainty over the war in the Middle East.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the planned release of the government reserves will start in early May, after an earlier release last month.
Mr Trump agreed a two-week truce earlier this week with the reopening of the strait a key condition.
But the agreement soon came under strain as Israel’s bombardment of Beirut prompted Iran to close the shipping lane again amid disagreement over whether Lebanon was included in the ceasefire.
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Starmer and Trump discuss 'an agreement to open the strait'
On Thursday a Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump from Qatar this evening.
“The Prime Minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK’s efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan.
“They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution.
“The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible.”
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