WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV/TEHRAN (dpa-AFX) – After Israeli attacks in the suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut and threatened counterattacks by Iran on Israel, US President Donald Trump has called on the sides to show restraint. Trump had originally promised that a framework agreement to end the Iran war between the USA and Iran would be signed on Sunday, his 80th birthday. After the new escalation in Lebanon, he warned on Truth Social: “This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace – let’s not squander it!”
Trump condemns Israel’s counterattack in Lebanon in his post. The attack near Beirut should not have taken place, “especially on a special day when we are so close to a peace agreement with Iran,” the Republican wrote.
After attacks by the Lebanese Hezbollah militia on the north of Israel – the Israeli military spoke of several explosive drones – the Israeli Air Force attacked again near Beirut on Sunday. Hezbollah “terror targets” in the southern suburbs known as Dahija were shelled, according to a joint statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. “The attack came in response to Hezbollah’s shelling of Israeli territory.” According to Lebanese information, at least three people were killed.
US President wants attacks to stop
Trump further wrote on Truth Social that Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack to which the country responded was meaningless – no one was killed or injured.
At the same time, Trump called on all sides to exercise restraint. They are close to concluding an agreement with Iran that would bring peace to the region, including Lebanon. There should be no more Israeli attacks anywhere in Lebanon, the US President wrote. And there should be no more attacks against Israel by other parties, including Hezbollah.
Iran questions diplomatic efforts after attack near Beirut
After the Israeli attacks near Beirut, Iran questioned the possible agreement on a framework agreement with the USA. “If you (USA) have neither the will nor the ability to fulfill your obligations, then you cannot continue on the diplomatic path,” wrote Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf on Platform X. Giving such attacks the green light cannot result in diplomatic concessions.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) – the elite military force of the Islamic Republic – threatened Israel with retaliation. “There is no doubt that these crimes will not go unanswered,” an IRGC spokesman said on Iranian state broadcaster Irib. Already on Sunday last week, Israeli attacks near Beirut – which, according to the government in Jerusalem, were also a response to Hezbollah attacks – triggered several waves of Iranian rocket attacks on Israel’s north and Israeli counterattacks on Iran.
Later in the evening, the influential Iranian Security Council also threatened Israel with counterattacks. “Lebanon is part of our lives and crossing Iran’s red lines will not be tolerated,” said council chief Mohammed Bagher Solghadr, according to a statement. The answer from the “Islamic fighters” is imminent, said the former IRGC commander, according to the Fars news agency.
The Israeli army announced late in the afternoon that it was preparing for possible shelling of Israeli areas in the coming hours. The military is on heightened alert and prepared for a “variety of defensive and offensive scenarios.”
Israel blames Hezbollah
The Israeli Foreign Ministry accused Iran of lying in response to Ghalibaf’s X post. “It is Iran’s proxy, Hezbollah, that attacked Israel again this morning, completely unprovoked,” the ministry said in an X-post. Hezbollah is constantly shooting at Israeli civilians. Israel will not tolerate attacks on its territory.
The main condition for Iran in reaching an agreement with the US is an end to military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Tehran has repeatedly emphasized that without the realization of this demand, Iran is not prepared to continue the further diplomatic process.
The new escalation in Lebanon increases uncertainty as to whether and when the framework agreement between the USA and Iran, which has been negotiated for weeks, will be concluded. The agreement is intended to be the starting point for in-depth discussions between Washington and Tehran. In addition to opening the Strait of Hormuz, the agreement is reportedly intended to extend the – fragile and repeatedly broken – ceasefire by 60 days and be the starting point for negotiations
about the Iranian nuclear program.
The “New York Times” wrote that the Trump team was still cautiously optimistic in the morning (US local time) that the agreement with Iran would be signed on Sunday – despite the recent Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Trump’s latest post reflects his desire to reach a deal and get out of this war, according to a person familiar with the administration’s thinking, the paper wrote.
Barak Ravid, a reporter for the news portal “Axios”, wrote on X on Sunday evening German time that Trump had told him in a short interview that the signing was still planned for Sunday./vee/DP/zb