President Donald Trump said Thursday night that he expects a full ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and urged Middle Eastern countries to let negotiations with Iran progress smoothly. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States is committed to peace, added that markets like what is happening because oil prices are falling and stocks are rising, and called for a complete ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon.
The message came shortly after unusually sharp criticism from US Vice President JD Vance toward Israeli cabinet ministers. Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said IDF forces would remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon, according to Israel’s security needs, and said the northern border must be restored to security. Netanyahu said Israel must maintain the buffer zone as long as security requires it, because it separates Hezbollah fighters from Israeli civilians and communities.
Netanyahu also addressed tensions with Washington, saying the challenges facing Israel require calm, a firm stance on its security interests, and at the same time preserving ties with American friends. He said, “We will restore security to the north,” and added, “The fight is not over yet and more challenges lie ahead.”
At a press conference, Vance accused ministers in Netanyahu’s government of attacking the agreement and Trump. He said, “What bothers me is that there are people in Netanyahu’s cabinet who attacked the deal and Trump,” and warned, “If I were them, I would not anger the last person in the world who still has a good relationship with Netanyahu, and he is also the leader of the world’s greatest power.” He added that most of Israel’s defensive ammunition is made in the US and paid for by American taxpayers, saying, “Your country was built with our money.” Separately, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei commented for the first time on the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the US, saying Trump acted out of distress and that he would not accept excessive American demands.
