Trump in no rush to set deadline on Iran ceasefire extension

Amna Nawaz:

President Trump announced late today that the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks.

Geoff Bennett:

That cease-fire covers fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon. Separately, Mr. Trump told reporters earlier he was in no rush to reach a deal with Iran after his latest cease-fire extension.

Our Stephanie Sy begins our coverage.

Stephanie Sy:

Just two days after President Trump extended his two week cease-fire with Iran, the prospect of talks is giving way to more tensions and brinksmanship from both sides at sea.

Iranian state TV broadcast this highly produced video complete with drone footage and a soundtrack purportedly showing the country's Revolutionary Guard taking control of two vessels yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz.

Man:

Motor vessel Majestic X, we intend to conduct the boarding of your vessel.

Stephanie Sy:

The Pentagon released its own footage of U.S. forces on the deck of an oil tanker today in the Indian Ocean, a ship accused of smuggling Iranian oil. And President Trump posted to social media that he had ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat that threatens the strait by laying underwater mines or otherwise without hesitation.

Speaking to reporters today, the president said he's in no rush to set a deadline on his latest cease-fire extension. He said that was to allow Iran time to sort out what he characterized as its fractured leadership.

President Donald Trump:

They're not doing well economically, financially. They're not doing any business because of the blockade. They want to make a deal.

We have been speaking to them, but they don't even know who's leading the country. They're in turmoil. They're in turmoil. So we thought we'd give them a little chance to get some of their turmoil resolved.

Stephanie Sy:

When asked, the president also backed off any threat to use a nuclear weapon against Iran.

Donald Trump:

Why would I use a nuclear weapon when we have totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it? No, I wouldn't use it. A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody.

Stephanie Sy:

The escalating standoff in the street has led to another uptick in gas prices, and crude oil is back over a $100 a barrel.

Donald Trump:

And I'm told this is a rather historic meeting.

Stephanie Sy:

Meanwhile, a second round of high-stakes talks between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats took place at the White House today. President Trump insisted on meeting them personally. He then announced a three week extension of the cease-fire.

But Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have already accused the other of breaking the truce up to this point. In Southern Lebanon today, thousands of mourners marched in the streets alongside the coffin of journalist Amal Khalil, her press helmet placed on top.

"Death for Israel," her pallbearers shouted. Lebanese officials and the paper she worked for said an Israeli airstrike yesterday killed her as she took cover inside a house. Israel's military says they will review the incident.

Thousands of miles away, in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, banners still flutter in the breeze, teasing another round of talks between Washington and Tehran that have lately shown no signs of moving forward.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Stephanie Sy.