Article content

The countries of Iran, the United States and Israel have reportedly reached a deal for a two-week ceasefire, with Tehran saying it would negotiate with the U.S. beginning on Friday.

Article content

U.S. President Donald Trump initially said a proposed 10-point plan was “workable” but later called it fraudulent.

Article content

Article content

On Wednesday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it supports Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks. However, it doesn’t include the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Here’s the latest on the Iran war:

Israel hits over 100 Hezbollah targets in 10 minutes

Israel’s military said it struck more than 100 Hezbollah targets within a space of 10 minutes in Beirut, southern Lebanon and the Beqaa region, on Wednesday, calling it the largest coordinated strike in the current war.

Targets included missile launchers, command centers and intelligence infrastructure.

“The State of Lebanon and its civilians must refuse Hezbollah’s entrenchment in civilian areas and its weapons build up capabilities,” Israel’s military said.

Pakistan says Iran confirms attendance at talks with U.S.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Iran has confirmed it will attend talks with the United States on Friday in Islamabad.

Article content

Article content

It wasn’t immediately clear who would represent Tehran at the negotiation table. Sharif said he spoke for more than 45 minutes with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, thanking Iran’s leadership for agreeing to the ceasefire and accepting Pakistan’s offer to host the discussion.

Vance calls agreement ‘a fragile truce’

U.S. Vice President JD Vance called the ceasefire agreement “a fragile truce”.

Speaking at an event in Hungary, Vance said the deal the U.S. struck with Iran was being misrepresented within Iran, without offering further details beyond stating the agreement included a ceasefire, plans to negotiate and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“You have people who are lying about even the fragile truce that we’ve already struck,” Vance said.

Vance said Trump told U.S. representatives who will be negotiating with Iran to do so in “good faith”, warning the president is “impatient to make progress.”

The U.S. is prepared to use “extraordinary economic leverage,” but Trump has instructed us “not to use those tools,” Vance said.

Article content

“He’s told us to come to the negotiating table. But if the Iranians don’t do the exact same thing, they’re going to find out that the president of the United States is not one to mess around,” he added.

“I think if they (Iran) negotiate in good faith, we will be able to find a deal. That’s a big if. And ultimately, it’s up to the Iranians how they negotiate. I hope they make the right decision.”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

Kuwait says drone attacks targeting oil and power facilities

Kuwait’s military said it has responded to an “extensive wave” of drone attacks targeting oil and power facilities.

The military said it engaged 31 drones that targeted the oil-rich country since 8 a.m. Wednesday.

The attacks caused significant damage to oil and power facilities and water desalination plants.

Israel: We will continue ‘fighting and ground operations’ against Hezbollah

The Israeli military said it “continues fighting and ground operations” in its war against the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.

Article content

The military issued a statement acknowledging the war continued, even after a two-week ceasefire in the Iran war was reached.

Israel separately acknowledged strikes into Iran up to the ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu earlier said Israel would honour the Iran ceasefire while continuing to fight Hezbollah.

Hezbollah has yet to comment.

Israel says U.S. wants removal of Iran’s nuclear material and missile threat

The U.S reportedly told Israel it is committed to removing Iran’s nuclear material and missile threat in upcoming negotiations, according to a senior Israeli official.

Senior Trump officials told Israel that the U.S. “will firmly insist on removing the nuclear material, stopping enrichment, eliminating the threat of ballistic missiles, and more” during talks expected to take place in the next two weeks.

The official said the U.S. coordinated the ceasefire with Israel in advance and credited “the massive crushing of the regime’s infrastructure” with securing the agreement.

Article content

Oil prices fall, Asian benchmarks rise

Benchmark U.S. crude oil sank 13.3% to $96, while Brent crude dropped below $95.

The oil prices fell while Asian benchmarks rose in Wednesday trading after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Shares jumped in early trading in Japan, Australia, South Korea and China in reaction to the ceasefire.

A recent spike in prices was a response to the war, effectively blocking passage of much of the world’s oil supply through the strait.

Trump: Ceasefire could mark a new ‘Golden Age’ for Mideast

In a social media post, Trump declared the ceasefire agreement a “big day for World Peace” and that the U.S. “will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz.”

“There will be lots of positive action!” Trump said on Truth Social.

“Big money will be made. Iran can start the reconstruction process. We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just ‘hangin’ around’ in order to make sure that everything goes well. I feel confident that it will.”

– With files from The Associated Press

Article content