President Trump says US Navy will begin blockade of Strait of Hormuz

For the first time since the war with Iran began, the U.S. embassy in Bahrain has officially lifted its shelter-in-place advisory for Americans still in the country.

"The U.S. Embassy in Manama lifted its shelter-in-place advisory,” a security alert reads. "We recommend all Americans in Bahrain remain vigilant, follow directions issued by local authorities, and be prepared to seek shelter if Bahraini authorities issue an alert.”

The alert goes on to advise that the Iranian government and its proxies may still seek to target Americans and advises U.S. citizens in Bahrain should “continue practicing personal security awareness.”

It was not immediately clear whether the embassy had also lifted its shelter-in-place directive for U.S. government personnel still in the country.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

The Trump administration is weighing a plan to retaliate against NATO allies seen as unhelpful during the conflict with Iran by shifting U.S. troops away from these countries, an administration official tells ABC News.

The official adds that the troops would likely be repositioned in countries viewed by the administrative as having been more supportive of its war efforts. It’s unclear how advanced the plan is and which countries would be impacted if the decision is made to implement it.

When asked if President Donald Trump is considering punishment for NATO allies who did not heed his requests and whether this proposal was presented to Sec. Gen. Rutte during their meeting on Wednesday, a White House official pointed to earlier remarks from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The secretary of state had questioned why the U.S. would continue to position troops in Europe if it was restricted from using jointly operated bases.

Overseas basing rights that allow the U.S. to station troops and equipment through Europe were a major topic of discussion during Rutte’s meetings in Washington, according to the administration official.

Trump and members of his administration have expressed grievances against a long list of NATO allies, but none more so than Spain. The Spanish government has condemned U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran as violations of international law and denied the U.S. permission to use joint bases at Rota and Morón for its operations.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston and Isabella Murray

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon to begin "as soon as possible."

"The negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon," Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Hezbollah is "desperate" for a ceasefire in Lebanon, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday.

"The terrorist organization Hezbollah is desperate for a ceasefire and his Iranian patrons are pressing and threatening - for grave fear that Israel will crush Hezbollah," Katz said in a statement released by the Ministry of Defense.

"The IDF is prepared and ready to act forcefully if Iran fires at Israel," Katz said.

Katz said Hezbollah was "stunned and confused by the depth of the penetration and the scope of the blow" with more than 200 "terrorists" killed on Wednesday.

"The agreement on separating the arenas is an important achievement led by the Prime Minister, and allows us to act forcefully against Hezbollah," Katz added.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller