Hey there from CNN. I'm David Ryan with the five things you need to know for Thursday,

April 16th.

We are locked and loaded.

We got an update this morning from the Pentagon on the war with Iran.

The two-week ceasefire is still in place and appears to be holding, but both Secretary

of Defense Pete Hexeth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kane stressed the fighting could begin again if a deal isn't reached.

I'd like to emphasize during this pause that the United States Joint Force remains

postured and ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moment's notice.

Kane also gave an update on the US blockade of Iranian ports using maps and pictures.

You can see that the captains of all these ships have made the wise decision not to move

transit or run this blockade.

He said so far U.S. forces have not had to board any ships trying to evade the blockade, but they have had to warn 13 ships over the radio using this message. We not attempt to breach the blockade. The vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure, transit to or from a radiant port. Turn around and prepare it be boarded. If You do not comply with this blockade.

We will use sports.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's president Joseph Awan has declined to speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

Netanyahu today.

That's according to a Lebanese official.

After President Donald Trump said the two leaders would talk for the first time in decades,

the official told CNN, quote, we told America we aren't ready to take that step, end quote.

Representatives from the two sides held direct talks in Washington earlier this week

about Israel's fighting with Hezbollah, which remains a sticking point in the broader Iran talks.

Got to take a break coming up, a disturbing update on a former star of the Democratic Party.

Police say former Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax and his wife were found dead in their Virginia home early this morning.

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