Iran war day 49: What’s happening in Lebanon, Tehran and the Middle East?

xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoDisplaced people make their way home towards southern Lebanon [File: Reuters]By Elizabeth MelimopoulosPublished On 17 Apr 202617 Apr 2026Celebrations have been reported in Lebanon after a 10-day ceasefire took effect, paving the way for talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials on a longer-term deal, according to the US State Department. United States President Donald Trump has said an agreement to end the war on Iran is “very close”, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed the truce, framing it as part of a broader effort with Washington to pause the regional conflict. White House invitation extended: “I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.