Rome: Italy's foreign minister has reaffirmed his country's call for a deal to ensure the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and emphasized the importance of achieving a lasting ceasefire in Lebanon. During a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Antonio Tajani urged swift action towards resolving the crisis involving Iran and fostering positive relations with neighboring Gulf countries.

According to Anadolu Agency, Tajani highlighted the priority of reaching a stable ceasefire in Lebanon, calling on all parties to commit to a peaceful resolution. He expressed Italy's readiness to actively support dialogue and reinforce stability in Lebanon and the broader region.

In related news, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would extend its ceasefire with Iran, initially set to expire Wednesday, to allow Tehran time to prepare a comprehensive proposal following a request from Pakistani officials. This ceasefire, initially declared earlier this month, aims to provide a diplomatic window for negotiations.

Additionally, a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel commenced on Friday. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel plans to maintain control over territories occupied in southern Lebanon during its recent military actions. Since March 2, Israeli operations in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of approximately 2,300 individuals, with over 7,500 wounded and more than 1 million displaced, based on official reports.