WASHINGTON — United States President Donald Trump declared on Friday that Israel has been formally prohibited by Washington from continuing its bombardment campaign against Lebanon, marking a striking and direct intervention by the United States into the conduct of its closest Middle Eastern ally’s military operations.
“Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!! Thank you!” Trump wrote via his Truth Social platform, in a statement that carried the unmistakable weight of an executive directive rather than a diplomatic suggestion.
The announcement follows Trump’s declaration on Thursday that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reached an agreement to commence a 10-day ceasefire effective from 21:00 GMT, with the stated objective of achieving a durable peace. Trump indicated he would extend invitations to both leaders to visit Washington for substantive negotiations.
The development represents a significant shift in the regional dynamic, with the United States publicly restraining Israeli military action in Lebanon — a posture rarely adopted so bluntly by any American administration. The explicit language of prohibition, rather than mere encouragement or diplomatic pressure, signals a recalibration of Washington’s tolerance for the ongoing conflict’s escalation.
In the same Truth Social post, Trump also addressed the question of Iran’s nuclear programme, stating that the United States would take possession of all nuclear “dust” produced by American B-2 bombers, and categorically ruling out any financial transaction in connection with the arrangement. “The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear ‘Dust,’ created by our great B2 Bombers — No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form,” he wrote, in remarks that appeared to reference ongoing negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear capabilities.
The ceasefire and the accompanying prohibition on Israeli strikes against Lebanon come amid broader regional tensions, with Iran having separately announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for the duration of the Lebanese ceasefire — a gesture widely interpreted as a confidence-building measure tied to the diplomatic momentum generated by Washington’s intervention.
The full implications of Trump’s prohibition on Israeli military action, and the terms under which the ceasefire may be extended or formalised, remain to be seen as both Israeli and Lebanese officials are expected to travel to Washington in the coming days.
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