Trump says Israeli strike on Lebanon should not have happened, but Iran deal close

DUBAI/WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, warning it could undermine efforts to finalize a U.S.-Iran framework agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Despite the escalation, he said negotiations remained close to completion.

The strike targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area Israel said was being used by Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters. The attack triggered strong reactions from Tehran, with Iranian officials accusing Washington of failing to restrain its ally and of not upholding its commitments in the peace process.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the incident demonstrated that the United States “lacks the will or ability” to deliver on its obligations. He warned that continued attacks would further erode trust in the negotiations.

The government of Iran also placed responsibility on Washington for the strike, despite Israel carrying out the operation. Iran’s foreign ministry issued a warning of a “strong response,” while its top military command said it had the “finger on the trigger,” signaling readiness for further escalation.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the timing of the strike was “unfortunate,” noting that the parties were nearing a potential agreement.

“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 wrote. “We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down.”

The conflict between Israel and Lebanon has intensified in recent months, with Israeli forces repeatedly targeting positions linked to Hezbollah. Israel maintains that its operations are defensive and aimed at preventing cross-border attacks.

Iranian officials, however, argue that the U.S. position in the negotiations is being weakened by Israel’s military actions. Qalibaf, posting on X, said: “If you lack the will and ability to fulfill your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously disagreed with U.S. pressure to scale back military operations in Lebanon, arguing that Israel must retain operational freedom to address security threats from Hezbollah.

Mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar, have been working to finalize the framework agreement. Reports indicated that Qatari negotiators traveled to Tehran on Sunday as discussions entered a critical stage.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that under the draft deal, the United States would agree to release an estimated $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets. In return, Iran would commit not to pursue nuclear weapons development.

Iran has also reportedly agreed to maintain the status quo on its nuclear program during the transition period, including halting uranium enrichment expansion while talks continue. A U.S. official said the eventual goal would be the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of highly enriched uranium stockpiles.

U.S. defense officials, including Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, said that restrictions on maritime pressure in the region would be lifted once an agreement is signed, though implementation would depend on security conditions in the Strait of Hormuz. He added that the United States would maintain sufficient military presence in the region to preserve “all options.”

The proposed agreement has also drawn internal opposition in Iran, where hardline groups have criticized the framework as a concession to Western demands. Demonstrations in several cities reportedly included chants rejecting compromise with Washington.

Meanwhile, violence continued on the ground. Israeli forces said Hezbollah launched several projectiles toward northern Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes on Beirut’s Dahiyeh district. Lebanese authorities reported casualties following the air raid.

An unidentified diplomat involved in the talks told Fox News that the Israeli strikes were complicating diplomatic efforts, suggesting they could be interpreted as an attempt to derail the agreement. Israel has not responded to those claims.

Despite the escalation, negotiators said momentum toward a deal has not collapsed. One official involved in the talks described the agreement as “nearly over the line,” although Iranian state media indicated that Tehran had not yet made a final decision.

Uncertainty remains over the timing of any formal signing, even as diplomatic pressure intensifies and regional tensions continue to rise. -Reporting by Reuters bureaus; Writing by Kim Coghill and Timothy Heritage; Editing by Sergio Non, William Mallard, Alex Richardson, Will Dunham and Barbara Lewis/Reuters