President Donald Trump said Thursday night that he expects a comprehensive ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and urged Middle Eastern countries to allow negotiations with Iran to move forward “beautifully.” Posting on Truth Social, he said the United States is committed to peace, noted that markets like what is happening, pointed to falling oil prices and rising stocks, and added, “We expect a full ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon, between Hezbollah and Israel. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The remarks came shortly after an unusually sharp public attack by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on Israeli ministers. Speaking at a news conference earlier Thursday, Vance said he was troubled that people in Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet had attacked the deal and Trump. “The president Trump is the only one I am sympathetic to right now in the entire world,” he said, warning them not to anger “the last person who has a good relationship with Netanyahu” and who leads the world’s biggest power. He also said most of the defensive ammunition Israel used was made in the U.S. and paid for by American taxpayers, adding, “Your country was built with our money. Israel’s problem is not Donald Trump.”
Netanyahu, for his part, said earlier in the day that IDF forces will remain in the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon, in line with Israel’s security needs. He said the current challenges require calm, a firm defense of Israel’s security interests, and at the same time preserving ties with the United States. “We will restore security to the north,” Netanyahu said. “That requires keeping the security zone in southern Lebanon, and not leaving there as long as Israel’s security needs require it. This zone separates Hezbollah terrorists from our civilians and communities.” He added that the struggle is not over and more challenges lie ahead.
In a separate statement, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei addressed for the first time the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the United States. He said Trump acted out of distress and that Iranian officials worked hard on the agreement out of concern and good intentions. Khamenei said he had initially opposed signing, but approved it after Iran’s president committed to defending the rights of the Iranian people and the resistance front. He also warned that if the American side makes excessive demands, Iran will not yield.
