On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, President Donald Trump met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House to discuss ongoing challenges facing Lebanon, including the influence of Hezbollah.

President Trump praised Lebanon as "a country of great intellect" and commended Aoun for "working to transform his Country." He announced he is directing his administration to allow all U.S. airline carriers to resume direct flights to Lebanon, aiming to make it easier for Americans to visit the country. Trump stated on Truth Social, "After meeting with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, who has done a remarkable job working to transform his Country, I am hereby directing my Administration to allow all U.S. airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land."

Speaking alongside Aoun in the Oval Office, Trump vowed that the U.S. would "help it a lot," hinting at additional forthcoming measures beyond the direct flights announcement. He acknowledged the ongoing Hezbollah issue, saying, "As you know, there's a Hezbollah problem. But we've done some things that I think the world will take notice."

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy supported the president's directive on social media.

Additionally, Trump expressed openness to direct talks with Hezbollah if requested by Lebanon, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic engagement. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun thanked the Trump administration for facilitating negotiations and supporting Lebanon during recent talks, which have included U.S.-backed diplomacy aimed at reducing Hezbollah's influence and promoting regional stability.

Sources