Trump Extends Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire but Remains Patient on Iran Deal; Mojtaba Khamenei Rejects Claims of Leadership Rift
WASHINGTON/TEHRAN — President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire on Thursday following high-level talks at the White House.
While celebrating progress on the Lebanese front, the President signaled a deliberate approach toward Tehran, stating he is in "no hurry" to finalize a deal while U.S. forces tighten their grip on Iranian maritime and regional interests.
The "Steel-Like" Unity vs. Infighting Claims
The diplomatic tension peaked as Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s Supreme Leader, issued a rare and pointed rebuttal to President Trump’s recent assertions of a fractured Iranian government.
Trump had previously posted on Truth Social that "Hardliners" and "Moderates" in Tehran were embroiled in "CRAZY" infighting as the country struggled to identify its true leadership. Mojtaba Khamenei dismissed these claims as "sinister" media operations designed to undermine national security.
“Due to the strange unity created among compatriots, a fracture has occurred in the enemy,” Khamenei stated, describing the Islamic Republic’s cohesion as "steel-like" and "iron unity."
U.S. Escalates Economic and Military Pressure
Even as the Lebanon ceasefire found a temporary extension, the U.S. military moved to increase pressure on Iran’s proxies and resources:
$10 Million Bounty: The U.S. State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program announced a $10 million bounty on Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, leader of the Iran-backed militia Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, for attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities and military bases.
Oil Seizures: U.S. forces boarded a tanker carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean. President Trump later remarked that the U.S. now exercises "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz.
Tanker Fraud: The government of Guyana confirmed that a sanctioned tanker seized by the U.S. for carrying Iranian crude was "FRAUDULENTLY" flying its flag. The vessel, formerly known as the Phonix, had no record in the Guyanese registry.
Regional Stalemate: From Peace Calls to "Stone Age" Threats
While the White House works to disarm Hezbollah as part of a longer-term Lebanese peace strategy, the rhetoric regarding Iran remains severe:
Israel’s Stance: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the military is prepared to return Iran to the "dark and stone ages" by destroying key energy and economic infrastructure if the U.S. provides a "green light."
The Pope’s Plea: Pope Leo XIV urged both nations to return to the negotiating table. Highlighting the human cost, the Pope spoke of a young Lebanese boy he met last year who was recently killed in the war. "I cannot be in favor of war... an entire population of innocent people is suffering," the Pontiff said.
World Cup Controversy and Domestic Resilience
In the sports arena, Italian officials officially slammed a U.S. proposal to replace Iran with Italy in the World Cup 2026.
Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi labeled the suggestion as "not appropriate," while Iranian officials insisted their team is fully prepared to participate despite the blockade.
President Trump, reflecting on his aggressive posture and the current state of Iran's military capabilities, told the BBC, "Whatever I'm doing, it seems to be working very well."
For now, the President maintains he has "all the time in the world," while Tehran insists its leadership stands united against the mounting pressure.
