President Donald Trump has announced that he is directing his administration to allow all US airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon, a move marking a significant shift in aviation policy between the two nations. The directive follows a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, whom Trump praised for doing a "remarkable job" transforming the country. The decision aims to restore air connectivity that has been absent for decades, despite current travel advisories warning against visits to the region due to security risks.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the department's readiness to execute the President's directive. In a post on X, Duffy responded to Trump's announcement with "You got it, Mr. President." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also stated that it looks forward to working with airlines to implement the policy and support the safe return of flights to Lebanon. Major carriers, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines, have not yet commented publicly on the announcement.

Historical Context and Safety

US airlines have not operated flights to Beirut since 1985, following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. The US Department of State currently maintains a "Do not travel" advisory for Lebanon, citing risks of crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, landmines, and armed conflict. The resumption of flights would represent a major reversal of the long-standing aviation restrictions imposed due to these security concerns.

Key Details

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized President Donald Trump on Tuesday for highlighting the U.S. military death toll in the Iran conflict, accusing him of treating the losses as a political victory. The dispute emerged as the Pentagon estimated the war has cost $37.5 billion, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requesting nearly $70 billion in supplemental funding to address critical military shortfalls.

Trump and Schumer Clash Over Casualties

Trump shared a post on Truth Social comparing U.S. military casualties across several conflicts, writing "Iran Military Conflict: 4 months, 18 DEAD." He contrasted this figure with approximately 2,000 deaths in the Afghanistan war, 4,600 in the Iraq war, 58,220 in the Vietnam War, and 36,574 in the Korean War.

Schumer responded on X, stating, "Bragging about ‘only’ 18 brave US service members being killed in a reckless and illegal war he started is beneath contempt and a new low even for the likes of Donald Trump."

War Costs and Funding Request

The Pentagon raised its official estimate for the conflict to $37.5 billion, an increase of $8.5 billion from the previous estimate. This figure includes operations and maintenance costs through the end of September. Hegseth defended the broader request for nearly $70 billion in supplemental war funding as an urgent investment in national defense.

Political and Military Context

Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, have criticized the campaign, citing casualties and rising costs. The conflict has resulted in 17 U.S. service member deaths and over 100 injuries since early July. Hegseth had previously warned that more casualties were expected, while former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen cautioned the conflict could last for years.