WEEKLY UPDATE - 04.17.2026

Efforts Intensify to Preserve Ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon

Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz “fully open” less than a day after Lebanon and Israel agreed to a ten-day ceasefire that went into effect on Thursday. President Trump wrote on social media that the US blockade of Iran, which began on Monday, will remain in place until our “TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE.” Trump also said that Iran and the US are currently working together to remove mines from the strait. Oil markets responded to Iran’s announcement with prices dropping as much as ten percent on Friday. Oil prices still remain about 20 percent higher than they were before the war. Iran has insisted that Lebanon be included in any ceasefire agreement while the US and Israel maintain that Lebanon is a separate issue.

On Thursday, Israel agreed to a 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon under pressure from the US. Hezbollah, which did not participate in the talks, appeared to honor the ceasefires terms as it went into effect. Ali Fayyad, a Lebanese politician affiliated with Hezbollah, said that the group will approach the ceasefire with “caution and vigilance.” Lebanese President Josef Aoun issued statement implicitly criticizing Hezbollah and its hostilities with Israel. Aoun also insisted that talks with Israel will not result in ceding territory to Israel. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu defended his decision to enter a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, which is unpopular in Israel, saying that the ceasefire provided opportunity to advance “a combined diplomatic and military solution with the Lebanese government.” During the ceasefire, Israel will maintain its military positions in southern Lebanon. Many Lebanese have begun returning to their homes in the south in hopes that the ceasefire will hold.

President Trump issued a strongly worded post on social media in which he “prohibited” Israel from bombing Lebanon during the ceasefire. During earlier ceasefire agreements in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel has often continued bombing targets only at a dramatically lower rate often accusing Hamas and Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire agreements. President Trump’s post is a rare public rebuke of Israel from the White House.

Around the Region

• North Africa:

  • Pope Leo XIV visited Algeria’s Annaba, the historical home of fifth century bishop of Hippo St. Augustine, beginning his four-country tour of Africa. Pope Leo comes from the Order of St. Augustine, which was established in 13th Century. The visit comes as Pope Leo has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflicts in Iran and Lebanon. An unrelated suicide attack targeting a police station in Bilda was thwarted during the Pope’s visit.

  • Tunisian authorities have broadened access to the Jewish pilgrimage on the island of Djerba this year. The festivities, which will take place between 30 APR to 6 MAY, have historically drawn thousands of pilgrims to the island, but a 2023 terrorist attack that killed two worshippers and three police has caused numbers to decline in recent years.

• The Gulf:

  • The continued detention of Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab Eldin has drawn attention to the crackdown on free speech in the Arab Gulf countries during the US-Iran War. Kuwati authorities arrested Eldin on 3 MAR after posted video of a US air force pilot being rescued following a friendly fire incident. Many rights activists and campaigners fear that he will be charged under new security laws.

  • On Thursday, Bahraini authorities filed charges against an unnamed member of their domestic spy agency over the death of a detainee in their custody. The body of detainee, Mohammed al-Mousawi, bore signs of torture including bruises, cuts, and burns. Mousawi, who was dispeared on 19 MAR, is among dozens of Bahrainis arrested during the Iran war.

• The Levant:

  • The Jordanian and Syrian governments discussed terms on several issues including commerce, the operation of the Nassib-Jaber border crossing, tourism, etc. The two parties worked to strengthen bi-lateral relations between the two states and promote cooperation between them.

  • The Syrian government has taken control of the US military bases inside the country as part of a handoff between the US and Syrian militaries as the US removed its forces from the country. The move accompanied the integration of the Kurdish-led SDF into the Syrian Armed Forces.

Recommended:

• “Egypt’s Discrete Role in the Ceasefire with Iran” Diwan

• “Lebanon’s Three Body Problem” New Lines Magazine

• “Reckoning with Israel’s One-state Reality” The Ezra Klein Show