Israel Lebanon Iran War
- Ariel Schalit - AP
- Updated
An Israeli Apache helicopter fires a missile towards southern Lebanon as seen form northern Israel, Monday, March 23, 2026.
Ariel Schalit - APAs featured on
President Donald Trump has paused military pressure on Iran by extending his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and delaying strikes on Iranian power plants for another five days. Trump said the US has been negotiating with a “respected” Iranian leader but Iran denies any talks and said Trump is backing down after their warnings and hoping to reassure financial markets with “fakenews.” Oil prices did decrease and stocks jumped, but markets remain uneasy. Meanwhile Trump said any deal must involve ending Iran’s nuclear capacity by allowing the U.S. to take its enriched uranium.
Hopes rose that the Iran war could begin winding down as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed his government was holding productive talks with Tehran. Fighting showed no signs of slowing and Iran denied there were talks. Trump extended his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. He says the U.S. will hold off striking Iranian power plants for five more days to allow talks with a “respected” Iranian leader. Iranian officials say the American leader had backed down following its “firm warning.” Financial markets were relieved Monday as oil prices eased. Markets have had vicious swings since the war began.
