US President Donald Trump posted 10 messages on Truth Social in a single hour Friday, covering Iran, Israel, Lebanon, NATO, and oil markets. The burst came after Iran announced it was reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
What Trump Said
The posts, published between morning and early afternoon Washington time, covered:
- Iran has “agreed to never again close the Strait of Hormuz”
- The US maritime blockade of Iranian ports “will remain in full force” until a deal is “100 percent done”
- “Most points are already agreed” with Iran
- Israel is “FORBIDDEN” from bombing Lebanon
- NATO should “stay away” from Hormuz operations
On NATO, Trump wrote that the alliance had just called to offer help. His response: “I told them to stay away, unless they just want to fill up their ships with oil. They were useless when we needed them. Paper tiger.”
He thanked Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar for “great courage and help.”
The NATO Split
Trump’s rejection of NATO came the same day European leaders gathered in Paris to discuss Hormuz security without the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer co-chaired the conference at the Elysee Palace. About 30 nations sent representatives. China was invited. America was not.
The parallel events highlight a growing gap. The US is handling Iran bilaterally through Trump’s personal diplomacy. Europe is building its own coalition for maritime security in the Gulf.
What the Maritime Blockade Means
Trump confirmed the US naval blockade of Iranian ports stays active even with Hormuz open. Commercial ships can pass through the strait. Iranian vessels and cargo remain restricted.
The dual approach keeps economic pressure on Tehran while allowing global energy supplies to flow. Oil prices dropped 10 percent on the news, with Brent falling below $90 per barrel.
Markets Respond
Wall Street rallied hard. The Dow Jones added 945 points. The S&P 500 crossed 7,100 for the first time. The Nasdaq rose 1.6 percent. Small-cap stocks hit a new high, with the Russell 2000 gaining 2.2 percent.
Investors read the Hormuz opening and Lebanon ceasefire as signs the regional conflict is de-escalating. The main remaining uncertainty: whether Washington and Tehran can finalize a deal before the April 22 ceasefire deadline.
What to Watch
The next two weeks will determine whether these separate tracks hold. The Lebanon ceasefire is temporary. The Iran-US ceasefire expires April 22. Trump says a deal is close. Iran has not confirmed that assessment.
