Skip next section Lebanese PM condemns attacks on UN peacekeepers April 18, 2026 Lebanese PM condemns attacks on UN peacekeepers Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday condemned what he said was an attack on French United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
France and the United Kingdom have said they are ready to lead a multinational mission to help restore freedom of navigation and trade in the Strait of Hormuz, only to be deployed once peace had been agreed in the region.
Iran first imposed a near-total communications blackout on the third day of the protests that swept the country in January, and the restrictions were further tightened after the war with the United States and Israel began.
"There's a very good chance we're going to make a deal" with Tehran, US President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday amid hopes for a second round of talks between the United States and Iran this weekend aimed at ending the Middle East conflict.
Skip next section Iran says it will close Strait of Hormuz unless US lifts blockade Published April 18, 2026 last updated April 18, 2026 Iran says it will close Strait of Hormuz unless US lifts blockade Iran will close the Hormuz Strait again if the United States maintains a blockade of Iranian ports, parliament speaker
Mariam Allawiya, 60 (left), and Kafa Wehbe, 67, sit together in a vacant apartment building in central Beirut after they were displaced from southern Lebanon by Israel's current invasion. They both grew up in southern Lebanon, and Allawiya's son married Wehbe's daughter.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the press aboard Air Force One on April 17, 2026 just prior to landing at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
A Pakistani Ranger walks past a billboard for the U.S.-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on April 12, 2026. The talks, led by Vice President JD Vance, produced no concrete movement toward a peace deal.
Efforts to broker a stable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip between Hamas and Israel have been underway for many months, with very little progress. Last Sunday, a Hamas delegation set off for Cairo to discuss the next steps in the ceasefire process with Egyptian mediators.
Skip next section Israel's offensive in Lebanon 'still not complete' — Defense Minister Katz April 17, 2026 Israel's offensive in Lebanon 'still not complete' — Defense Minister Katz Israel's defense minister said the country would resume its offensive in Lebanon if its goals are not met diplomatically [FILE: January 20, 2026]Image: Thanassis Stavrakis/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance
Skip next section Trump says pope must understand Iran threat April 17, 2026 Trump says pope must understand Iran threat US President Donald Trump continued to rail against Pope Leo XIV, telling reporters that Leo could say what he likes about world issues, but that the Pontiff needs to understand the realities of a "nasty world."
The peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad failed to deliver an agreement, with one key issue proving to be the main sticking point: Iran's nuclear program. This week, US Vice President JD Vance said Washington's core demand is that Tehran commits "to not having a nuclear weapon."