Middle East War Day 49: Hormuz Strait Reopens, Lebanon Ceasefire; Latest Developments at a Glance
Entering the 49th day of the Middle East conflict, significant progress has been made with indications of a peace deal between the US and Iran being "no longer at an impasse." The Strait of Hormuz has reopened to commercial shipping, and a ceasefire has taken effect in Lebanon, leading to a sharp drop in oil prices and a surge in European and US stock markets.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 11:49
- 🔍 Collected: April 18, 2026 at 12:01 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 21:40 (9h 38m after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Paris, Dec. 17, Comprehensive Foreign News) The Middle East war has entered its 49th day. US President Trump announced today that "no longer at an impasse" exists in reaching a peace agreement with Iran, adding that the agreement is "very close." Simultaneously, Tehran announced that the Strait of Hormuz has been opened to commercial shipping.
The following is a compilation of the latest developments in the Middle East war by Agence France-Presse.
Amid positive signals from Washington, a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon has taken effect, raising hopes that the two major obstacles to a US-Iran agreement may have been removed.
Trump also warned that the US will continue to blockade Iranian ports until the agreement is formally reached.
In a post, Trump called this "a great and glorious day for the whole world," while thanking Pakistan and Persian Gulf allies for their mediation efforts. He also warned NATO "not to interfere," rejecting NATO's offer to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Following the ceasefire in Lebanon, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that in coordination with the Lebanese ceasefire, all merchant ships will have full passage through the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire period.
An Iranian high-ranking military official told state media that warships are still prohibited from passing through this vital waterway.
Trump stated that any peace agreement reached between the US and Iran would include the removal of uranium from Iran's nuclear facilities by excavators and its subsequent transfer to the US. However, Iran's Foreign Ministry said earlier that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile will not be transferred anywhere.
Iran denied claims of exporting its high-enriched uranium stockpile or indefinitely halting uranium enrichment activities, warning that such public statements could complicate ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated today that if the US continues to blockade Iranian ports, Iran will once again close the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, criticizing Trump's recent remarks as "false."
Ghalibaf wrote on social media platform X: "If the blockade of Iranian ports continues, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open." He added that passage through this waterway would depend on Iran's authorization.
Ghalibaf said that Trump "made 7 claims within an hour, all of which are lies. They did not win the war with these lies, nor will they achieve any results in negotiations because of them."
Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz during the US ceasefire, leading to a plunge in oil prices by over 10%. European and US stock markets closed higher today, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 indices reaching new record highs.
Iran's announcement of reopening the Strait of Hormuz has raised expectations for the end of the US-Iran war, causing crude oil and European natural gas prices to plummet today.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures for May delivery fell 11.5% in New York, closing at $83.85 per barrel.
Brent crude oil futures for June delivery fell 9.1% in London, closing at $90.38 per barrel.
European benchmark natural gas prices dropped 10% during intraday trading, closing at approximately 39 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh).
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated today that following the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon is moving towards a "new phase" centered on a "permanent agreement."
In his first address to the nation since the ceasefire, Aoun stated: "Today, we all stand before a new phase... This is a phase of moving from commitment to a ceasefire to pushing for permanent agreements that guarantee the rights of our people, the integrity of our land, and the sovereignty of the nation."
Aoun declared: "Today, we negotiate for ourselves... We are no longer pawns in anyone's game, nor are we a battlefield for anyone's war, and we will never be in the future."
The Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that since Israel launched attacks on Lebanon on March 2, nearly 2,300 people have died.
The Ministry of Health's statement indicated preliminary statistics showed at least 2,294 deaths, including 274 women, 177 children, and 100 medical and rescue personnel.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated after a joint meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron that the UK and France will lead a multinational mission "as soon as conditions permit" to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he welcomed Iran's agreement to cease blocking the Strait of Hormuz but emphasized that the situation remains "fragile."
He added: "We hope the current situation can continue, but its impact will be long-lasting." (Compiled by: Liu Wen-yu) 1150418
The following is a compilation of the latest developments in the Middle East war by Agence France-Presse.
Amid positive signals from Washington, a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon has taken effect, raising hopes that the two major obstacles to a US-Iran agreement may have been removed.
Trump also warned that the US will continue to blockade Iranian ports until the agreement is formally reached.
In a post, Trump called this "a great and glorious day for the whole world," while thanking Pakistan and Persian Gulf allies for their mediation efforts. He also warned NATO "not to interfere," rejecting NATO's offer to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Following the ceasefire in Lebanon, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that in coordination with the Lebanese ceasefire, all merchant ships will have full passage through the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire period.
An Iranian high-ranking military official told state media that warships are still prohibited from passing through this vital waterway.
Trump stated that any peace agreement reached between the US and Iran would include the removal of uranium from Iran's nuclear facilities by excavators and its subsequent transfer to the US. However, Iran's Foreign Ministry said earlier that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile will not be transferred anywhere.
Iran denied claims of exporting its high-enriched uranium stockpile or indefinitely halting uranium enrichment activities, warning that such public statements could complicate ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated today that if the US continues to blockade Iranian ports, Iran will once again close the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, criticizing Trump's recent remarks as "false."
Ghalibaf wrote on social media platform X: "If the blockade of Iranian ports continues, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open." He added that passage through this waterway would depend on Iran's authorization.
Ghalibaf said that Trump "made 7 claims within an hour, all of which are lies. They did not win the war with these lies, nor will they achieve any results in negotiations because of them."
Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz during the US ceasefire, leading to a plunge in oil prices by over 10%. European and US stock markets closed higher today, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 indices reaching new record highs.
Iran's announcement of reopening the Strait of Hormuz has raised expectations for the end of the US-Iran war, causing crude oil and European natural gas prices to plummet today.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures for May delivery fell 11.5% in New York, closing at $83.85 per barrel.
Brent crude oil futures for June delivery fell 9.1% in London, closing at $90.38 per barrel.
European benchmark natural gas prices dropped 10% during intraday trading, closing at approximately 39 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh).
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated today that following the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon is moving towards a "new phase" centered on a "permanent agreement."
In his first address to the nation since the ceasefire, Aoun stated: "Today, we all stand before a new phase... This is a phase of moving from commitment to a ceasefire to pushing for permanent agreements that guarantee the rights of our people, the integrity of our land, and the sovereignty of the nation."
Aoun declared: "Today, we negotiate for ourselves... We are no longer pawns in anyone's game, nor are we a battlefield for anyone's war, and we will never be in the future."
The Lebanese Ministry of Health stated that since Israel launched attacks on Lebanon on March 2, nearly 2,300 people have died.
The Ministry of Health's statement indicated preliminary statistics showed at least 2,294 deaths, including 274 women, 177 children, and 100 medical and rescue personnel.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated after a joint meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron that the UK and France will lead a multinational mission "as soon as conditions permit" to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he welcomed Iran's agreement to cease blocking the Strait of Hormuz but emphasized that the situation remains "fragile."
He added: "We hope the current situation can continue, but its impact will be long-lasting." (Compiled by: Liu Wen-yu) 1150418