President Donald Trump has confirmed a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon following high-level negotiations at the White House. The extension is intended to maintain the pause in hostilities between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, with the President expressing hope that leaders from both nations will meet during this additional cessation of fighting.
Regarding the ongoing standoff with Iran, the President has issued an order to the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill” any small Iranian boats attempting to deploy mines in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. minesweepers are reportedly clearing the waterway now. The President stated he is prepared to wait for a “best deal” to end the war, telling reporters, “Don’t rush me,” when questioned about the timeline for a long-term peace agreement.
Tensions further escalated in the Indian Ocean as U.S. special forces boarded a stateless oil tanker. The Pentagon claimed the vessel was transporting Iranian crude oil. This action contributes to a broader standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, where commercial shipping has nearly ceased due to the threat of mines, seizures, and Iranian attacks.
Trump claimed that the United States has successfully hit approximately 75% of its military targets within Iran. He further asserted that a deal has been elusive because the Iranian leadership is currently “in turmoil.” U.S. officials also announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, identified as the leader of the Tehran-backed militia group Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.
Iranian leaders have dismissed the President’s claims of internal division. President Masoud Pezeshkian stated there are no “hardliners” or “moderates” within the country, while Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi insisted that state institutions are operating with unity and discipline.
In Lebanon, the death of 43-year-old journalist Amal Khalil in an Israeli strike has sparked international outrage. Lebanon’s prime minister has labeled the attack a “war crime,” while colleagues reported that Israeli forces targeted rescuers attempting to assist Khalil as they worked through the rubble of a building.
In Iraq, U.S. journalist Shelly Kittleson has been released after being kidnapped in Baghdad last month by the militia group Kataib Hezbollah. Following her week-long captivity, Kittleson used social media to thank those who helped secure her release.
On the global stage, Italian sports officials have rejected a suggestion from a Trump administration official for Italy to replace Iran in the upcoming World Cup. Additionally, Pope Leo has condemned capital punishment and called for the U.S. and Iran to return to negotiations to establish a “culture of peace” to replace the recourse to violence.
Domestically, the Trump administration is moving to ease federal restrictions on medical marijuana. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the substance will be reclassified from Schedule I to Schedule III. This shift moves marijuana into the same category as substances like anabolic steroids and Tylenol with codeine.
The reclassification is expected to facilitate expanded research into the safety and efficacy of the substance. It could also normalize business operations for the industry by potentially allowing for expanded banking services and common tax deductions. While the order pertains to regulation rather than full legalization, an administrative hearing regarding broader rescheduling is scheduled for June.