Trump criticizes Beirut strike, warns it could derail Iran peace talks

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized Israel’s strike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood, saying it was unnecessary and could complicate what he described as close negotiations for a peace deal with Iran. He said the action in Beirut should not have happened, especially at a time when, in his view, the parties were near an agreement.

Trump said he recognizes Israel’s right to defend itself against security threats, but argued that the incident that triggered the Israeli response was “very small and insignificant.” He added that no one was hurt in that incident, so there was no reason for a move that could undermine diplomatic progress. “We are very close to an agreement that will bring peace to the region, including Lebanon,” he said, urging all sides to calm the situation.

His comments came amid heightened regional tensions after the IDF strike in Dahiyeh, with Israel preparing for the possibility of Iranian fire toward its territory. The IDF said Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was holding ongoing situational assessments with relevant commanders, and that the military was preparing for the possibility of attacks against Israel within hours.

Security officials are also closely monitoring developments after threats issued during the day by senior figures in Tehran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The IDF said Home Front Command instructions had not changed, but stressed that Israel would continue to respond to any attempt to harm its citizens. Trump also called for an end to any further attacks from both Lebanon and Israel, warning that more escalation could endanger what he called the start of a “long and beautiful peace.”