Smoke billows from southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from Marjeyoun, Lebanon, May 15, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire and hold expanded talks on a political settlement, the United States announced on Friday (May 15, 2026), even as Israel carried out new strikes that it insists are not subject to the truce.
At least six people â were killed, including âthree âparamedics, âand â 22 â were wounded in an Israeli âstrike on a civil âdefense center in â southern Lebanon, the âLebanese state news agency âsaid early Saturday (May 16, 2026).
A day after U.S. President Donald Trump said Xi Jinping had offered Chinaâs help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Iranâs Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday (May 15, 2026) he had âreceived messagesâ from the United States saying it is willing to continue talks, and that he was open to any support, including from China.
âWe received messages again from the Americans saying that they are willing to continue the talks and continue the interaction,â Mr. Araghchi told reporters in New Delhi. Mr. Trump said that the Chinese leader had also pledged not to send military equipment to aid Iran in its war against the United States and Israel.
