Trump's post 'prohibiting' Israeli strikes
on Lebanon leaves Netanyahu
'stunned, alarmed': Report
April 17th, 9:59pm
(PressTV)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was personally
"stunned and alarmed" by a social media post by US
President Donald Trump, in which the latter said
the Israeli regime was "PROHIBITED" from
attacking Lebanon, a report says.
US website Axios published the report on Friday, citing
sources as saying that Israeli officials first saw the
post in media reports rather than finding out
about it through official channels.
The post published earlier in the day saw Trump assert,
"Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They
are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A.
Enough is enough!!!”
In an interview, he reinforced his position, saying, "Israel
has to stop. They can't continue to blow buildings up.
I am not gonna allow it."
Trump had announced on Thursday that the regime
and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.
It followed the US president's announcement of a two-
week lull in US unprovoked aggression targeting Iran.
Making the latter announcement, Trump said a 10-point
ceasefire proposal forwarded by Iran was a "workable
basis on which to negotiate and the main framework"
for talks with the Islamic Republic. Among other
things, the proposal has identified cessation
of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon -- as an
indivisible part of a termination of the
cycle of unprovoked aggression ---
and retaliatory strikes across
the region.
Under the agreement with Lebanon, the Israeli regime is
barred from carrying out offensive military operations
against Lebanese targets, including civilian and
state infrastructure.
The Israeli officials experiencing ''alarm'' at Trump's post,
including the ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter,
have sought clarification from the White House,
moving quickly to determine whether US
policy has shifted and raising
"concerns" with the
White House.
Trump's announcements regarding the cessation of attacks
on Iran and the ceasefire in Lebanon both followed scores
of determined and successful retaliatory strikes staged
by the Islamic Republic's Armed Forces and regional
resistance movements, including Hezbollah
in Lebanon.
Some of the strikes ....would be carried out through
coordination among the forces staging the reprisal.
Prior to the announcement concerning Lebanon, Iran's Majlis
(Parliament) Speaker, Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf wrote in a
post on X that the emergence of a potential ceasefire in
Lebanon would be down to the persistent struggle put
up by Hezbollah ..and other members of the regional
Axis of Resistance.
___________________________________________
April 17th: Iran sets new maritime rules
for Strait of Hormuz as Lebanon truce
takes effect
April 17th, 9:49pm
(Press TV Website Staff)
On Day 49 of the US-Israeli war on Iran and the resistance
axis, Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial
traffic, outlining strict new regulations, just hours after a
ceasefire took effect in Lebanon.
The IRGC Navy declared a “new order” governing all
maritime movement in the strategic waterway,
asserting full Iranian oversight after the
failure of Washington’s attempted
naval blockade.
Press TV revealed new details of last week’s confrontation in
the strategic waterway between the IRGC Navy and the US
military, confirming that over a dozen cruise missiles had
been locked onto US destroyers before they retreated
---- hastily.
Meanwhile, three Iranian oil tankers carrying five million
barrels of oil became the first to exit the Persian Gulf
since the "blockade" threat began.
Iran's leadership warned ------ that any renewed US or Israeli
aggression would be met with a decisive, “regret-inducing”
response, even as the diplomatic pace continues to build.
Senior military commanders said the country’s strength had
forced its adversaries to yield, while Pakistan reported that
an Iran-US peace agreement was now “over 80 percent”
complete ....and likely to advance over the weekend.
Oil prices dropped sharply following Iran’s announcement that
the Strait of Hormuz would remain open during the ceasefire,
as regional and international reactions, from mass rallies in
Yemen ......to European calls for action against Israel,
reflected a shifting balance in Iran’s favour.
Key developments on day 49 of the war,
tenth day of the ceasefire:
Following the implementation of a ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran
announced the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz
to commercial vessels and declared that the route would
be designated by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps
(IRGC) Navy.
IRGC Navy said a "new order" is now in place over the
strategic Strait of Hormuz, outlining strict new
regulations for all maritime traffic.
Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Amir
Hatami said the country is fully prepared with an “iron will”
--------- to confront any threats and aggression against the
Islamic Republic.
IRGC said it stands ready alongside the Army to deliver a
“regret-inducing” response to the US and Israeli regime
if they renew their criminal act of aggression against
the country.
Iranian presidential office denounced US President Donald
Trump’s rhetoric, which sought to downplay Iran's recent
triumphs against US and Israeli aggression, warning
that any failure by the US to honour commitments
will be met with severe consequences.
Major General Ali Abdollahi, Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-
Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the country’s enemies
and ill-wishers, particularly the US and Israeli regimes,
have no option but to yield to the greatness and
strength of the Iranian Armed Forces and the
resilient nation.
Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said
Iranian forces successfully prevented US and Israeli
aircraft carrier strike groups and marine forces
from entering the Sea of Oman.
In new details of the April 11 operation in the Strait of Hormuz,
Press TV learned that the IRGC Navy had locked more than a
dozen cruise missiles onto aggressive US warships moments
before they hastily retreated. After the American warships –
the USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and the USS Frank E.
Peterson (DDG 121) - failed to heed initial warnings from
Iranian naval forces, the IRGC Navy launched 16 cruise
missiles onto the vessels.
Three Iranian oil tankers carrying a combined five million
barrels of crude oil became the first loaded vessels to
leave the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz
since the US-imposed "blockade" came into effect
earlier this week.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said
maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz must strictly
follow routes designated by Tehran and operate under
full Iranian coordination.
Yemen witnessed another massive million-man march in
solidarity with the Axis of Resistance, a day after the
announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon.
In an interview with Bloomberg News, Trump said peace
talks with Iran will “likely” be held this weekend. He
said an agreement to end the war is “near.”
Oil prices dropped sharply after Iran's foreign minister said
that the Strait of Hormuz would be open for commercial
transit during the remainder of the ceasefire, albeit the
route would be regulated by the Iranian armed forces.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said the Iran-US peace
agreement is “more than 80 percent” complete
and the country wants to see a permanent
end to the war.
A majority in the Dutch House of Representatives backed a
proposal calling on the Netherlands’ government to push
for the suspension of the trade component of the EU-
Israel Association Agreement at the bloc over the
regime's crimes against Palestinians.
_________________________________________
Republicans anxious over war on Iran,
but block efforts to end it: WSJ
April 17th, 12:21pm
(Al Mayadeen English)
Republican lawmakers express rising concern over the
economic and political costs of the war on Iran, but
continue to back Trump’s military choices.
Nearly two months into the war on Iran, Republicans
in Congress - are showing increasing anxiety and
impatience with the aggression, even as most
continue to oppose efforts to end or limit
President Donald Trump’s
military operations.
Lindsay Wise, who covers Congress for the Wall
Street Journal, writes that, despite defending
the administration's approach, many GOP
lawmakers --- are expressing growing
frustration, over the lack of a clear
endgame and growing economic
consequences linked to
the offensive.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R., Tenn.) said he is hearing frequent
complaints from constituents about rising costs linked
to disruptions.... such as the closure of the Strait of
Hormuz. “I wish it was over tomorrow. Yesterday,
actually,” Burchett said, adding that voters are
increasingly concerned about high gas and
fertilizer prices and may ultimately hold
Republicans responsible.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R., Colo.) also voiced discomfort
with the war, saying she opposes prolonged military
aggression. “I mean, I have military-age kids, and I
don’t want to see this,” she said. “I don’t want to
see anybody’s child have to go there and have
the potential of losing their life.”
Despite these concerns, Wise recalls that both lawmakers
and most House Republicans opposed a resolution that
would have required Trump to seek congressional
approval before continuing military operations.
The measure narrowly failed in the House, 213–214,
while a similar war powers resolution was also
defeated in the Senate.
Economic pressures driving political friction
The economic impact of the US-Israeli war on Iran
is becoming a central concern for lawmakers,
particularly rising energy costs and
supply chain disruptions tied to
regional instability.
According to Wise, both senators and representatives
have pointed to pressure from constituents over high
fuel prices and broader inflationary effects.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) said there is growing urgency
to end the war quickly, even as he voted against limiting
Trump’s war powers. “We need an exit strategy that will
bring down energy prices in this country quickly,”
Hawley said, noting that voters frequently
raise concerns about costs.
Rep. Burchett also warned... that prolonged instability
could create political consequences for Republicans
if economic conditions worsen.
War Powers votes narrowly fail in Congress
Congress, however, has so far declined to restrict the
president’s authority over the war on Iran, though
recent votes have been closely divided.
A House resolution --- aimed at forcing Trump to halt military
operations without congressional authorization failed by a
single vote. The Senate also blocked a similar measure.
The proposals included exceptions allowing the use
of force to defend the United States and its allies.
The narrow margins ..suggest growing unease within
both chambers, even as most Republicans continue
to support the administration’s position.
Divisions within the Republican Party
While the majority of Republicans remain aligned
with the president, a small but notable group
has expressed opposition or reservations.
In the Senate, Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) supported advancing
a war powers resolution ---- while Sen. John Fetterman
(D., Pa.) voted against it. In the House, Rep. Thomas
Massie (R., Ky.) voted in favour... and Rep. Jared
Golden (D., Maine) opposed the measure. Rep.
Warren Davidson (R., Ohio) voted “present.”
Other Republicans have signaled conditional
support for continued military operations.
Sen. Todd Young (R., Ind.) said it is “time to wrap it as
quickly as we can,” while suggesting future funding
votes may require clearer authorization of
military force.
Sen. John Curtis (R., Utah) said he would not support
additional war funding without formal approval or a
declaration of war.
Sen. Jim Justice (R., W.Va.) warned about the risks
of prolonging the conflict, saying, “Every day that
it drags on it makes it more and more and more
difficult for people to understand why
we’re there.”
Trump’s strategy and timeline uncertainty
President Trump has said the Iran war, which began in late
February, aims to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and
weaken its military capabilities. As both objectives
failed, the US recently agreed to a renewable
ceasefire under Iran's terms.. while also
forcing "Israel" - to halt its aggression
on the Iranian and Lebanese fronts.
However, Wise points to looming doubt as lawmakers
remain uncertain about the timeline and objectives,
with growing pressure for a defined exit strategy.
Sen. Jon Husted (R., Ohio) emphasized that the operation
must remain short-term, saying it should last “weeks
and not months.”
Constitutional debate over War Powers
The debate in Congress is also intensifying over
constitutional war powers and the 60–90 day
requirement for presidential authorization
of extended military action.
Some lawmakers have suggested that the administration
may soon be required to seek formal approval ....if the
war continues. The White House is also expected
to request tens of billions of dollars in
supplemental military funding,
adding further pressure on
Congress ----- to define
its position.
Meanwhile, Democrats have pledged -- to continue forcing
votes on war powers in an effort to pressure Republicans
into taking a firmer stance.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D., Va.) said his party will continue
introducing resolutions weekly, until the war ends.
He said Republicans appear increasingly uncomfortable
with the war’s economic and human costs, suggesting
that continued pressure may eventually shift votes.
“We’re sort of like, ‘Have you seen enough yet?
Have you seen enough yet?’” Kaine said.
Republicans argue for more warmongering
Despite growing impatience, Wise said many Republicans
remain cautious about cutting off the aggression abruptly.
Sen. Todd Young warned that immediate withdrawal could
create serious risks, including potential consequences
for the troops in the field. “What happens if you
immediately pull troops out?” he said.
“These contingencies have not
been seriously dealt with.”
Source: Wall Street Journal
_________________________________
Second carrier burns - as US fleet
crumbles under grind of Iran war
April 17th, 12:09pm
(PressTV)
Another US supercarrier has suffered a fire-related incident,
marking the latest in a series of operational failures
plaguing US naval assets since Washington
launched a war of terrorism with Israel
on Iran.
Eight sailors were injured on April 14 when a fire broke out
aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during scheduled
maintenance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia.
The US Navy confirmed the incident, saying the
fire's cause remains under investigation.
The Eisenhower, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft
carrier, has been docked at the Virginia shipyard for
16 months undergoing a Planned Incremental
Availability maintenance period.
The incident follows a far more serious fire aboard the USS
Gerald R. Ford — the Navy's largest and most advanced
supercarrier — just one month earlier.
That fire reportedly took nearly 30 hours to contain, left more
than 600 sailors without beds, and forced the $13 billion
vessel to retreat to Souda Bay, Greece... for repairs.
The timing of these incidents is significant. Both carriers
were operating in or near the West Asia theater amid
the US-Israeli joint terrorist war against Iran.
The Pentagon initially downplayed the Ford incident, as a
"non-combat-related fire in the ship's main laundry area,"
a characterization the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps
(IRGC) dismissed as "absurd."
"The presence of the aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, made it
a legitimate target for the Iranian armed forces," the IRGC
stated following the Ford's withdrawal, suggesting the
vessel's retreat.... was combat-related --- rather
than accidental.
The Eisenhower fire represents a deeper crisis facing US
naval power projection. According to reports from the
region, US forces have suffered substantial losses
since operations began on February 28:
Approximately 16 aircraft — including fighter jets, drones,
and refueling platforms — have been crashed or downed.
An MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone, valued at $245 million,
crashed in the Persian Gulf on April 9 after declaring an
in-flight emergency over the Strait of Hormuz.
Last month, US President Donald Trump admitted that the
USS Gerald Ford came under a coordinated 17-angle
attack by Iranian armed forces in the Red Sea.
“They were here, they were there. We ran for our lives, it was
over,” Trump said, citing one of his Navy commanders - who
was on board at the time the warship came under attack.
Iran’s armed forces have previously reported successful
drone and missile strikes against another US carrier,
the USS Abraham Lincoln.
More broadly, the war - has exposed the limits of US military
endurance. The USS Gerald R. Ford is now entering its 10th
month of deployment - twice the length of a normal carrier
deployment with sailors reported enduring dysfunctional
toilets, no clean laundry, and sleeping on floors.
Iran's military doctrine appears deliberately designed to
exploit these vulnerabilities. Senior Iranian officials
have explicitly threatened US naval assets in
the region's narrow waterways.
"These ships of yours - will be sunk by our first missiles,"
warned Mohsen Rezaei..... a senior military adviser to
the Leader of the Islamic Revolution --- speaking on
national television. He specifically cited the Strait
of Hormuz as a zone ---- where US warships are
"in great danger" from coastal defenses.
Defense officials warn that the war is draining US
ammunition stockpiles —— including Patriot,
THAAD, and Tomahawk missiles —— at
rates exceeding production capacity.
Rebuilding these reserves could
take years.
"The US military... the most vital, indispensable pillar
upholding American hegemony, now appears to be
approaching some kind of breaking point," noted
one analysis, highlighting that "ships get tired
too" ...after prolonged deployments.
With estimates suggesting the war could cost up
to $1 billion daily - and the Pentagon potentially
requesting $200 billion in emergency funding,
questions on sustainability are mounting.
The US navy - has long relied on the psychological
deterrent of its carrier strike groups, but its two
major vessels sidelined by fires, in as many
months - signals that the world's most
expensive military ...is crumbling
under the grind of war.
_________________________________________________
2,184 heroic epics in 45 days:
Hezbollah details Devoured
Straw ops
April 17th, 11:07am
(Al Mayadeen English)
Hezbollah outlines its 45-day Devoured Straw battle,
detailing thousands of operations and vowing
continued resistance against "Israel".
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon -- Hezbollah -- issued a
statement regarding Operation Devoured Straw, which it
described as a prolonged test of endurance & defiance
-- marked by unwavering steadfastness over 45 days
of continuous defense.
The statement came in light of the 10-day ceasefire -- which
came into effect at 12:00 am on Friday --- following intense
battles in southern Lebanon and unrelenting pressure by
Iran against the US and "Israel" for an agreement that
includes Lebanon.
"In defense of Lebanon and its people --- we fought the battle of
Devoured Straw....... over the course of forty-five days, during
which we inscribed heroic epics rarely matched in strength,
courage, steadfastness, reliance on God Almighty, and
confidence in His victory," the statement read.
2,184 military operations against 'Israel'
According to the Resistance, 1,828 statements have been
issued announcing 2,184 military operations across the
Lebanese South and deep into occupied territories
between March 2 and April 26, 2026.
Through these operations, the fighters of the Islamic
Resistance confronted Israeli occupation forces in
Lebanese territories and targeted their positions,
barracks, and military bases, on the occupied
Palestinian lands.
Hezbollah's operations also struck ----- using one-way attack
drones and various types of rocket fire - Israeli settlements
& occupied cities "from the Lebanese-Palestinian border
to beyond Tel Aviv" ......reaching a depth of 160 km, in
response to the enemy's crimes against civilians
---- and the brutal destruction of residential
buildings and civilian infrastructure.
Resistance 'until the last breath'
On average, Hezbollah - remarkably - carried out 49 operations
per day. According to the statement, facing the Israeli war
machine's intelligence dominance ---- and overwhelming
firepower - Hezbollah's fighters remained undeterred
and rose to fulfill their national, humanitarian, and
religious duty ------ "to protect and defend their
homeland and people."
"These fighters --- will keep their hands on the trigger, remaining
vigilant ----- against the enemy’s treachery and betrayal. Their
pledge to the Secretary-General of the Resistance and to its
noble, proud, and self-sacrificing people, is that --- we will
remain committed to our covenant until our last breath,
and our banner will never fall," the statement said
in conclusion.
Source: Al Mayadeen English