US President Donald Trump on Friday declared that Israel has been “prohibited” from carrying out further strikes on Lebanon, signalling a hardening US stance even as diplomatic efforts with Iran gather pace and the Strait of Hormuz reopens to global shipping.
“Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are prohibited from doing so by the USA. Enough is enough!!!” Trump said in a social media post, underscoring Washington’s push to enforce a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
The remarks came after a US-backed Israel-Lebanon ceasefire for 10 days took effect, halting weeks of fighting that began on March 2 when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, prompting a major Israeli offensive that Lebanese authorities say killed around 2,000 people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not directly respond to Trump’s warning but said Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon to counter “immediate threats,” including rockets and drones.
Amid the shifting regional dynamics, Iran earlier today announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels during the ceasefire period – a move that could ease pressure on a route that handles nearly a fifth of global energy supplies.
However, Trump made it clear that the US naval blockade targeting Iran would remain in force despite the reopening. “The naval blockade will remain in full force until our transaction with Iran is 100 per cent complete,” he wrote on Truth Social, emphasising that Washington continues to control maritime access linked to Iran.
He also stressed that negotiations with Tehran are being handled separately from the Lebanon situation. “This deal is not tied, in any way, to Lebanon,” Trump said, adding that the US would deal with Hezbollah independently.
Expressing optimism about diplomacy, Trump said a deal with Iran could come “soon,” noting that most issues have already been negotiated – raising expectations of a possible second round of talks in the near future.
He reiterated that the US would secure control over nuclear material linked to the conflict, insisting that “no money will exchange hands,” while maintaining that the objective remains to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
In another sharp remark, Trump said he had rejected an offer from Nato to assist, calling the alliance “useless when needed” and a “paper tiger,” while thanking Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar for their support during the crisis.
The developments point to a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, with Washington attempting to assert control on multiple fronts – restraining Israeli military action in Lebanon, maintaining pressure on Iran through a naval blockade, and pushing forward negotiations that could shape the next phase of the conflict.
(with inputs from Reuters)
