Middle East War Day 97: Trump Hints at Ending Ceasefire if US Forces Attacked; Latest Developments
As the US-Israeli campaign against Iran enters its 97th day, US officials reveal President Trump has privately indicated he would consider ending the ceasefire with Iran if US troops are killed. Secretary of State Rubio condemned an Iranian attack on Kuwait Airport. Israel's far-right minister criticized the Lebanon ceasefire, while an Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon. Iran's Supreme Leader accused the US and Israel of trying to sow division. International oil prices fell about 3% following the ceasefire agreement.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 5, 2026 at 11:30
- 🔍 Collected: June 5, 2026 at 11:47 (17 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 15:19 (27h 32m after Collected)
WASHINGTON (CNA Combined Foreign News, Dec 4) -- The US-Israeli campaign against Iran entered its 97th day. US officials said President Donald Trump has privately told aides that he would consider ending the ceasefire with Iran if Tehran kills American troops. The officials emphasized that the weeks-long pause in airstrikes remains in effect, despite ongoing violent clashes.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday condemned an "appalling" Iranian attack on a Kuwaiti airport this week that killed one person and wounded dozens.
According to a State Department readout of the meeting, Rubio, meeting in Washington with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, "condemned Iran's appalling and unacceptable attack against Kuwait International Airport and other areas in the country, and offered his condolences for those tragically killed and injured in the attack."
Israel's far-right National Security Minister on Wednesday sharply criticized the US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, calling it a "grave mistake." Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Minister said ground operations in southern Lebanon would continue.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir wrote on social media platform X: "The ceasefire agreement with Lebanon is a grave mistake. The unrealistic fantasies of advisors are dragging the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) toward wrong decisions."
The Israeli military said Wednesday that an Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon. This is the first Israeli military fatality since the announcement of a new ceasefire proposal.
Iran's Supreme Leader on Wednesday criticized the US and Israel for attempting to sow "division" among the Iranian people after suffering "decisive blows" in the Middle East war.
In a written message, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said "malicious enemies" are trying to "sow seeds of doubt, despair, fear, mistrust, and division" among the public.
His message stated: "In the face of these malicious intentions, everyone must thwart their plots through unwavering resolve, insight, maintaining unity and cohesion..."
After Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement, international oil prices fell about 3% on Wednesday as investors hoped for an end to the US-Iran war and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Reuters, Israel and Lebanon agreed overnight to implement a ceasefire, sparking investor hopes for a US-Iran deal. Iran had stated that any agreement must include an end to fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Brent crude futures fell $2.78, or 2.84%, to settle at $95.03 a barrel.
US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $2.98, or 3.1%, to settle at $93.04 a barrel.
Lebanese state media reported that just hours after Israel and Lebanon announced agreement to implement a "conditional ceasefire" following talks in Washington, Israel launched new airstrikes on southern Lebanon.
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported that multiple roads in southern Lebanon were attacked by drones, with at least one attack causing casualties.
A Serbian UN peacekeeper serving in Lebanon died Wednesday from wounds sustained when a mortar shell hit his position near Marjayoun in southeastern Lebanon the previous night. He is the seventh peacekeeper to die in the country since March.
The UN said two other peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), one from El Salvador and one from Spain, were also wounded in the incident.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday condemned an "appalling" Iranian attack on a Kuwaiti airport this week that killed one person and wounded dozens.
According to a State Department readout of the meeting, Rubio, meeting in Washington with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, "condemned Iran's appalling and unacceptable attack against Kuwait International Airport and other areas in the country, and offered his condolences for those tragically killed and injured in the attack."
Israel's far-right National Security Minister on Wednesday sharply criticized the US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, calling it a "grave mistake." Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Minister said ground operations in southern Lebanon would continue.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir wrote on social media platform X: "The ceasefire agreement with Lebanon is a grave mistake. The unrealistic fantasies of advisors are dragging the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) toward wrong decisions."
The Israeli military said Wednesday that an Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon. This is the first Israeli military fatality since the announcement of a new ceasefire proposal.
Iran's Supreme Leader on Wednesday criticized the US and Israel for attempting to sow "division" among the Iranian people after suffering "decisive blows" in the Middle East war.
In a written message, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said "malicious enemies" are trying to "sow seeds of doubt, despair, fear, mistrust, and division" among the public.
His message stated: "In the face of these malicious intentions, everyone must thwart their plots through unwavering resolve, insight, maintaining unity and cohesion..."
After Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement, international oil prices fell about 3% on Wednesday as investors hoped for an end to the US-Iran war and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Reuters, Israel and Lebanon agreed overnight to implement a ceasefire, sparking investor hopes for a US-Iran deal. Iran had stated that any agreement must include an end to fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
Brent crude futures fell $2.78, or 2.84%, to settle at $95.03 a barrel.
US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $2.98, or 3.1%, to settle at $93.04 a barrel.
Lebanese state media reported that just hours after Israel and Lebanon announced agreement to implement a "conditional ceasefire" following talks in Washington, Israel launched new airstrikes on southern Lebanon.
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported that multiple roads in southern Lebanon were attacked by drones, with at least one attack causing casualties.
A Serbian UN peacekeeper serving in Lebanon died Wednesday from wounds sustained when a mortar shell hit his position near Marjayoun in southeastern Lebanon the previous night. He is the seventh peacekeeper to die in the country since March.
The UN said two other peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), one from El Salvador and one from Spain, were also wounded in the incident.
FAQ
What will President Trump do if US forces are attacked?
US officials say President Trump has privately told aides he would consider ending the ceasefire with Iran if Tehran kills US troops.
What is the status of the Lebanon ceasefire agreement?
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a conditional ceasefire, but Israel's far-right has criticized it, and the Israeli military continues ground operations in southern Lebanon.
How did oil prices react to the ceasefire?
Following the ceasefire, investor hopes for an end to the war rose, leading to an approximate 3% drop in international oil prices.