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U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in force until a peace deal with Tehran is fully completed, while also saying the United States will separately handle the Hezbollah issue and that Israel is prohibited by Washington from bombing Lebanon any longer.
“The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” Trump said on Truth Social, adding that “this process should go very quickly.”
In another Truth Social post, Trump said: “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. This deal is in no way subject to Lebanon, either, but the USA will, separately, work with Lebanon, and deal with the Hezboolah situation in an appropriate manner. Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!! Thank you! President DJT”
Trump’s remarks came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz will remain “completely open” as long as a ceasefire in the Middle East holds.
“The passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire,” Araghchi said on X.
It was not immediately clear whether Araghchi was referring to the 10-day truce between Lebanon and Israel that took effect at midnight or an earlier two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States that began on April 8.
Tehran imposed control over the key waterway shortly after the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28, disrupting global energy supplies and maritime traffic.
The United States has also enforced its own blockade on Iranian ports since Monday.
Trump’s statement made clear that the U.S. blockade will remain in place despite Iran’s announcement that the strait is open to commercial shipping during the ceasefire.
On Thursday, Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
At the same time, the two sides have remained in contact through mediation by Pakistan.
Araghchi’s remarks came after Pakistan’s army chief, Gen. Asim Munir, met Iran’s top civil and military leadership in Tehran over the past two days.
Islamabad hosted rare talks between Washington and Tehran last weekend after securing a 14-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, and diplomatic efforts to end the war are continuing.
In his latest post, Trump said the Iran deal was not tied to Lebanon.
“This deal is in no way subject to Lebanon, either,” he wrote.
He added that the United States would work separately with Lebanon and address Hezbollah “in an appropriate manner.”
Trump also said Israel would no longer bomb Lebanon and that such strikes are prohibited by the United States.
Trump says, "Iran, with the help of the U.S.A., has removed, or is removing, all sea mines!" as he thanks Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar for "great bravery and help"
"Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help," the U.S. president wrote on his Truth Social.
"I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL," he added. "They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!"
In another post, Trump claimed that Iran had agreed to never shut the waterway again, despite Abbas Araghchi’s earlier statement indicating it would remain open only for the duration of the ceasefire.
"It will no longer be used as a weapon against the world," Trump said.
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