U.S. President Donald Trump is urging Israel to halt attacks against Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, warning that the strikes are jeopardizing a pending interim peace deal with Iran. In a social media post on Sunday, Trump wrote, "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!"
Peace Deal at Risk
Trump's aim of signing an interim peace deal with Iran on Sunday appeared increasingly unlikely following Israeli attacks on Hezbollah sites in Beirut. The strikes came after Hezbollah fired projectiles into northern Israel, prompting Israeli retaliation. Iran heavily criticized the strikes, and Tehran insists any deal with Washington must include a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Trump's Frustration with Netanyahu
Trump reportedly swore at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a call earlier this month, frustrated over Israel's deepening invasion of Lebanon. Israel says it is creating a security buffer on its border to stop Hezbollah attacks. Hezbollah is a key ally of Iran and is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S.
Despite the tensions, Trump told Fox News that the deal could be finalized in hours, with a possible in-person signing in Europe later in the week. However, Iranian media has downplayed Trump's assertion that a memorandum of understanding would be signed on his 80th birthday.
Details of the Proposed Deal
The deal is meant to extend the U.S.-Iran ceasefire by two months, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and lift an American blockade of Iranian ports. Officials from both countries have given differing versions of what is in the latest draft. The two sides would then enter further negotiations on curbing Iran's nuclear program.
Casualties and Reactions
Three people were killed and 15 injured in the Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency. Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said there was "no point" in continuing talks if the U.S. lacked the "will and ability" to stop Israel from bombing Lebanon. Iran warned that Israeli attacks on Beirut would not go "unanswered."
The Israeli military said it was preparing for potential fire toward Israel in the coming hours, without specifying whether from Lebanon or Iran, which exchanged missile fire with Israel a week ago.
U.S. Officials Remain Hopeful
U.S. officials still expressed hope for a deal before Monday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told CBS's Face the Nation, "From all I know, we are on track — it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. There's logistics involved into how these things happen."
While Group of Seven officials said Iran and the U.S. might affirm a deal on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, Iranian media suggested it would more likely be an electronic signing. Iranian officials have emphasized progress in recent days but remain more cautious than Trump, stating that not all clauses of the likely 14-point document are finalized.
