US President Donald Trump has stated that all U.S. ships, aircraft, and military personnel will stay in position in and around Iran until Tehran fully complies with a “real agreement” beyond the current two-week ceasefire.
The announcement reinforces that the United States is maintaining strong military pressure in the region even as indirect negotiations with Iran begin.
Context of the Two-Week US-Iran Ceasefire
The temporary truce, which Trump has repeatedly called a “total and complete victory,” was agreed upon late on April 7. Key terms include:
- The United States suspending offensive airstrikes on Iranian targets for two weeks.
- Iran immediately allowing safe international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for nearly 20% of global oil trade.
- Indirect negotiations, facilitated by Pakistan, focusing on long-term issues such as uranium enrichment (which Trump says will not be allowed), removal of buried nuclear material, and potential sanctions/tariff relief.
Trump has warned against fake or unauthorized negotiation documents, stressing that only the official U.S. points — the basis for the ceasefire — will be discussed behind closed doors.
Lebanon and Regional Proxies Remain Separate
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have both confirmed that Lebanon and Hezbollah are not part of the ceasefire agreement. Trump previously indicated that Hezbollah and Lebanon issues would still be addressed in broader talks.
Meanwhile, Iran’s military has vowed to continue supporting resistance groups in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq.