War in Iran and Lebanon: Trump Ready to Stop Everything, an Agreement Looms

After announcing the suspension of the “Project Freedom” operation, Donald Trump was particularly optimistic about reaching an agreement with Iran on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is heading towards the Strait of Hormuz.

The essentials

• The war in Iran is in its 68th day on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. While U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that the offensive phase in Iran was “over,” Donald Trump expressed optimism on Wednesday regarding the ongoing negotiations behind the scenes with Iran for a peace plan.
• In Lebanon, the ceasefire remains fragile. The Israeli army continues its strikes in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah. Israel has also approved a multi-billion euro contract with the United States for the acquisition of two new squadrons of fighter-bombers, which, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will enhance the country’s “overwhelming air supremacy.”
• The Strait of Hormuz, the maritime passage through which 20% of the world’s oil consumption typically flows, remains blocked and subject to passage rights at Iran’s initiative. Donald Trump announced yesterday the temporary suspension of the “Liberty Project” designed to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz in preparation for an agreement to end the war with Iran. However, the “blockade remains fully in force,” he specified. Iran, on the other hand, announced on Tuesday a new mechanism for monitoring maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz: ships wishing to pass through the strait will receive an email from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority detailing the current regulations and must obtain a transit permit before crossing, according to a report from Press TV, the English-language Iranian state broadcaster. Meanwhile, the French Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday the deployment of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Middle East. The objective is to position itself in the Gulf region for a potential mission to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz while remaining neutral in the war in Iran.
• Human toll. According to the U.S.-based human rights defense group HRANA, the conflict in the Middle East has resulted in the deaths of 3,500 people. In Lebanon, 2,702 victims have been recorded, along with 8,311 injuries, according to the National News Agency (NNA).