President Donald Trump on Sunday condemned Israel’s strikes on Beirut “should not have happened” and risk ruining a “special day” on which a peace deal with Iran could be finalized.
The president’s comments follow the Israel Defense Forces striking what it says was a Hezbollah command center in Beirut earlier Sunday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said militants launched projectiles toward northern Israel.
“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,” Trump said. “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.”
Trump previously said a deal would be finalized on Sunday, but Iran said its agreement may come later. Tehran has said it is reviewing the terms of the peace deal, and Pakistani mediators also voiced optimism.
ISRAEL SAYS IT TARGETED HEZBOLLAH IN BEIRUT AS TRUMP LOOKS TO SECURE IRAN DEAL
“We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down,” Trump said. “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. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it!”
Iranian officials said the Israeli strikes on Beirut threaten any chance of reaching a peace deal to end the months-long war with the United States. Iran’s parliament speaker said the attack proves the United States “lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so.”
