Washington, Jun 14
US President Donald Trump urging a de-escalation of hostilities, said "all sides should stand down" on Sunday, following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, warning that renewed violence could jeopardise efforts to secure a broader agreement with Iran.
The Israeli military said the strike targeted a Hezbollah command centre in the Dahiyeh district after the group launched drones toward northern Israel earlier in the day.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the attack should not have taken place given the progress made in negotiations with Tehran.
"This morning's attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran," he wrote.
While acknowledging Israel's right to defend itself, Trump said the attack by the Islamist group was very limited in scope.
"Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless. Nobody was hurt, injured, or killed, and should not disrupt this important process," he said.
Trump again expressed confidence that a breakthrough with Iran was close.
"We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon," he said.
He called for an end to attacks from all parties.
"There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel," Trump wrote. "This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — let's not blow it."
Iran reacted sharply to the Israeli strike, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf saying that the attack raised fresh questions on Washington's ability to deliver on commitments made during negotiations.
"America either lacks the will to fulfil its commitments or the ability to do so," Ghalibaf wrote on social media.
He warned that the latest developments could threaten the final phase of talks aimed at reaching a broader agreement between Tehran and Washington.
There was no immediate response from Hezbollah. The exchange comes only days after a similar Israeli strike in Beirut triggered Iranian missile attacks on Israel, followed by Israeli retaliation against targets in Iran. That confrontation was quickly contained under international pressure. The Israeli military said on Sunday it remains prepared for a possible response from Iran.
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