Trump Rebukes Israel’s Beirut Strike, Says Iran Deal Is Close

President Donald Trump drew backlash after posting that an Israeli strike in Beirut should not have happened, saying it could interfere with a near-complete agreement with Iran. The post, shared on June 14, 2026, said Israel has the right to defend itself, but argued the target was minor, that no one was hurt, injured or killed, and that all sides should calm the situation. Trump added that there should be no further Israeli strikes anywhere in Lebanon and no more attacks by any side, including Hezbollah, against Israel.

The response online was immediate, including from conservative Jewish commentator and Trump ally Mark Levin, who reposted the president’s remarks and wrote, “I had to read this twice.” Many users criticized Trump’s stance, with one asking whether he was now “the greatest ally of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard,” and others calling his position shameful or accusing him of weakening America. Several commenters argued Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism.

Trump later sharpened his comments in an interview with Fox News, saying he expects the Iran agreement to be signed within “two to three hours” or overnight. He said he had spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged him to avoid military action that could endanger the diplomatic push, adding that he asked, “What the hell are you doing?” about the strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district.

He then criticized Netanyahu more bluntly, saying, “ביבי has no f***ing judgment. I told him I’m not happy.” Trump said he told Netanyahu not to launch additional strikes against Hezbollah so as not to jeopardize the talks with Tehran, and that he also intended to tell Iran not to respond with missile fire toward Israel.