Trump criticises Israeli strike on Beirut as Iran deal nears
TLE DESK: US President Donald Trump has publicly criticised Israel for carrying out air strikes on Beirut, warning that the attacks could jeopardise a potential agreement aimed at ending the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said the Israeli attack on Lebanon’s capital “should not have happened,” particularly at a time when negotiators were reportedly close to finalising a peace framework with Tehran.
“We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down,” Trump wrote, urging both Israel and Hezbollah to refrain from further military action.
The remarks came after Israeli strikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh, killing at least three people, according to authorities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was launched in response to projectiles fired by Hezbollah toward northern Israel.
Trump questioned the scale of Israel’s response, saying the incident that triggered the strike was “very small and meaningless” and should not interfere with ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Iranian officials also condemned the attack. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the incident raised fresh doubts about Washington’s ability to ensure commitments are respected. Other senior Iranian officials warned that a response to Israel’s actions could follow.
Despite the tensions, both Washington and Tehran have continued to signal that an initial memorandum of understanding to halt hostilities is close. Trump said on Saturday that the agreement was expected to be signed on Sunday, though Iranian officials indicated the process could take several more days.
Under the reported framework, fighting would cease immediately, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen to international shipping, and broader negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and frozen assets would continue during a subsequent 60-day period.
Trump also revealed frustration with Netanyahu over the timing of the Beirut strike, telling Axios that he had directly conveyed his displeasure to the Israeli leader, describing the operation as poorly timed given the proximity of a potential breakthrough in negotiations.
Meanwhile, former US President Barack Obama said it was unlikely that any new agreement with Iran would be significantly stronger than the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated during his administration, arguing that lasting solutions cannot be achieved through military pressure alone.
