US Demands Iran Ceasefire, Hormuz Reopening

The United States said it has reached a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran , announced on Wednesday after President Donald Trump held discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. U.S. officials also signaled that diplomacy will continue, with Vice President JD Vance scheduled to travel to Islamabad this weekend for talks linked to the conflict.

At the same time, the White House demanded the immediate and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz . It rejected Iranian state media reports claiming the waterway had been closed, calling those reports unacceptable and false. The strait is a critical maritime corridor, and the administration’s message underscored the priority it is placing on keeping shipping lanes open.

Israel’s government indicated the ceasefire does not cover all fronts . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement does not apply to Lebanon, pointing to continued Israeli military action against Iran-backed Hezbollah. The Israeli Air Force said it carried out its largest attack across Lebanon since Operation Roaring Lion, striking about 100 Hezbollah command centers and military infrastructure sites.

Netanyahu also set out a separate demand focused on Iran’s nuclear material . He said Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile must be removed, either through an agreement or through renewed conflict. The statement highlighted that, even with a ceasefire in place between the U.S. and Iran, key disputes and security objectives described by Israeli leaders remain unresolved.

U.S. Central Command said it is not drawing down forces from the Middle East . CENTCOM confirmed that roughly 50,000 U.S. troops, two aircraft carrier strike groups, nearly 20 warships, and more than a dozen air squadrons will remain in the region. The posture suggests the U.S. intends to maintain readiness and deterrence while diplomatic efforts proceed.

The White House framed recent military actions as having met their aims . Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. has “achieved and exceeded” its core military objectives against Iran during Operation Epic Fury. She added that the operation had initially been projected as a four-to-six-week effort to dismantle what the administration described as the Iranian military threat.