Trump Rebukes Israel Over Beirut Strike, Says Regional Deal Is Near

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Israel after an Israeli strike in Beirut on Sunday, saying it should not have happened while Washington is close to an agreement with Iran. His comments came amid Iranian threats to fire at Israel within hours in response to the earlier IDF attack in Lebanon.

Trump wrote that the morning attack on Beirut should not have taken place, especially on a “special day” when the U.S. is “so close to a peace agreement with Iran.” He said Israel has the right to defend itself, but the target it hit was “small and insignificant,” adding that no one was killed, wounded or even hurt, and that the strike should not disrupt the process.

“We are very close to an agreement that will bring peace to the region, including Lebanon, and all sides should step back,” Trump said. He added that there should be no more Israeli attacks anywhere in Lebanon, and also no further attacks by any other side, including Hezbollah, against Israel. “This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace, let’s not destroy it,” he said.

At the same time, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told Fox News that Washington will always support Israel’s right to defend itself, while noting that for the first time under this president, the Lebanese government is talking to Israel and trying to free itself from “the cancer called Hezbollah.” Waltz said the administration intends to close the deal and move it forward. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told CBS the U.S. is on track to sign the agreement, saying it is a question of when, not if. He added that Israel was “very restrained” in its response, and said any arrangement with Iran over enriched uranium would be performance-based. If Iran refuses to comply, he warned, it could face the “War Department” again and knows the consequences.