US President Donald Trump has criticised an Israeli attack on Beirut, asserting that the strike should not have occurred while Washington is on the verge of a peace agreement with Iran.
"This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a peace deal," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.
He argued that the incident Israel was responding to was "small and meaningless", resulting in no casualties, and urged all parties to "stand down" to avoid disrupting the diplomatic process.
"We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon," he said, calling for an immediate halt to all Israeli attacks in Lebanon, as well as a cessation of strikes by Hezbollah.
“This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace. Let’s not blow it," added Trump, who earlier said the deal would be signed on Sunday.
His intervention follows accusations from Tehran that Washington lacks the "will or ability" to meet its obligations, citing continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Earlier, Axios, citing Israeli and US officials, claimed Israel had informed US Central Command before the Beirut attack.
At least three people were killed when Israel launched air strikes on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut
Trump on Saturday said that a deal with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday, even as Tehran disputed the timeline.
Sources in Tehran told the Fars News Agency that the proposed memorandum of understanding remains "under consideration" and no final decision has been announced.
Earlier, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, accused Washington of lacking the "will or ability" to meet its obligations, citing continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
While Iran has called for ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, the release of its frozen assets and the end of the US blockade of its ports, the US is demanding that Tehran halt its nuclear program and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior Iranian military official also warned that Israel's strike on Beirut's southern suburbs would not go "unanswered" by Tehran.
