President Donald Trump delivered a strong rebuke yet of Israel’s actions in Lebanon on Tuesday, asserting that the country’s very existence hinges on his personal intervention—and warning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change course on Lebanon.
He also vowed to make peace deal with Iran public, which the two sides have already digitally signed, and are scheduled to conclude formally in Switzerland this week. The deal remains secret so far.
President Trump has emphasized that the peace process will make sure that Tehran does not acquire nuclear weapons capability.
The two sides approved the deal — mediated by Pakistan and Qatar — over the weekend, vowing to end the conflict that erupted when the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran February 28.
“Without the U.S., there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did,” Trump told reporters at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France.
Trump reportedly was upset with Israel’s strikes on Lebanon, just when Washington and Tehran were about to sign a deal digitally to halt the war and begin negotiations to address the nuclear enrichment question within 60 days.
“I have had a great relationship with Bibi. Now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.”
Israel, which describes its actions in Lebanon as campaign to curb Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, has not directly commented on Trump’s latest remarks.
However, Netanyahu has said Israeli forces will remain deployed in Lebanon despite the U.S.-Iran agreement on ceasing hostilities.
US, Iran Reach Pakistan-Brokered Peace Deal; To Sign Agreement on June 19
“I want to make clear: We will remain in the security zones as long as required in order to defend our country,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister noted that the “struggle (against Hezbollah) has not ended.”
The U.S. president’s remarks marked an escalation in Trump’s public frustration with the Israeli leader over military strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon despite ongoing U.S.-Iran peace negotiations.
According to an Axios interview, Trump expressed his anger over Israeli strikes in Lebanon last week this way: “Why did Bibi have to do a f—ing attack?”
Advertisement
Meanwhile, President said he would make the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding public and would “probably” read “word by word” at a forthcoming press conference.
“Here’s what it says: Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. That’s what it says. It won’t have one to buy, to develop, they will not have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters.
Trump said the provision represented “about 99.9% of what I wanted,” adding: “You couldn’t let that happen, and they won’t have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump also noted that the agreement addresses maritime security, stating that “the strait is going to be open toll-free, and it’s toll-free beyond the 60 days”—a reference to the strategic waterway that has been a flashpoint for regional tensions.
Trump Warns Against Escalation After Israeli Attack on Beirut Close to Iran Deal
On Tehran getting money from the United States, Trump brushed aside “rumor that got out there yesterday,” insisting that the U.S. will not invest any money in Iran as part of the accord.
Trump also had a warning for Tehran, saying if Iran moves toward developing a nuclear weapon, “all hell” will rain “down on them.”
Pakistan, the lead mediator, will host the signing ceremony in Geneva, and as per reports the deal is likely to be called as Islamabad Agreement.
Vice President Vance will attend for the American side, according to Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Takht-Ravanchi. The agreement is scheduled to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, with Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, representing Tehran.
Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
Muhammad Luqman is Associate Editor at Views News Now. He writes on wide-ranging issues including economy, South Asia, the Middle East, agriculture, economy and innovation. Luqman has worked some of the leading news organizations and won acclaim for his original and research-based works.
