Donald Trump has issued a directive barring Israel from conducting further airstrikes on Lebanese territory whilst simultaneously rejecting NATO assistance with maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, characterising the alliance as “useless when needed” in a series of combative social media posts.
The US President declared via Truth Social that Israeli military operations against Lebanon must cease immediately, stating “enough is enough” as Washington prepares to address Hezbollah independently through separate diplomatic and potential military channels.
“Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer,” Trump wrote, adding that whilst the arrangement remains unconnected to broader Iran negotiations, America “will, separately, work with Lebanon, and deal with the Hezboolah (sic) situation in an appropriate manner.”
The prohibition on Israeli strikes comes as Trump finalises terms with Tehran that he insists will involve no financial transfers despite earlier reports suggesting $20 billion in unfrozen assets could feature in any settlement. “No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form,” he emphasised.
The President confirmed Washington intends to secure “all Nuclear ‘Dust'”—referring to debris from American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities conducted last year—as part of verification measures ensuring Tehran cannot reconstitute weapons programmes.
In a separate post, Trump delivered a stinging rebuke to NATO allies who had offered belated assistance with Strait of Hormuz security following Iran’s announcement the waterway has reopened to commercial traffic under supervision.
“Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help,” Trump recounted. “I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL. They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!”
The dismissal comes despite British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announcing joint plans for a defensive, neutral military mission to protect merchant shipping through the strategic waterway during their Paris summit Friday.
European NATO members have repeatedly declined Trump’s demands that the alliance assist American efforts to forcibly reopen the strait, which Iran effectively closed following the commencement of US military operations. The President previously warned NATO faces a “very bad future” should member states refuse to support Washington’s regional objectives.
Trump’s online activity Friday represented an unusually intense posting spree covering multiple foreign policy theatres simultaneously as he seeks to consolidate diplomatic gains whilst managing fractious alliance relationships.
