Trump Slams Beirut Strike as U.S. Says Lebanon Deal Is Near

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

Trump wrote that the Beirut strike was not needed, especially on a “special day” when the U.S. was close to a peace agreement with Iran. He said Israel has the right to defend itself, but called the attack it responded to “small and insignificant.” According to Trump, “No one was hurt, injured or killed,” and the incident should not derail what he described as an important process. He added that the U.S. is “very close” to an agreement that would bring peace to the region, including Lebanon, and said, “all sides should withdraw.”

He also said there should be no further Israeli attacks anywhere in Lebanon, and no more attacks from any side, including Hezbollah, against Israel. “This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace, let’s not destroy it,” Trump wrote.

Separately, 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 Trump, the Lebanese government is talking to Israel and trying to break free of “this cancer called Hezbollah.” He said Trump intends to close the deal and that he would leave details to Vice President JD Vance.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told CBS the U.S. is on track to sign the agreement, calling it a matter of when, not if. He said Israel responded with restraint, and when asked about clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, said the U.S. “can do anything” and is already doing things he could not discuss. On Iran’s enriched uranium, he said any arrangement will be performance-based and warned Iran could face the Department of War again if it refuses to comply.