U.S. President Donald Trump moved to defuse tensions after Israel struck Lebanon's capital Beirut and Iran pushed back, saying it could not continue negotiations with the United States.
"The attack that took place today in Beirut should never have happened, especially on this special day when a peace agreement with Iran is within reach," Trump said on Truth Social on Friday.
Trump criticized Israel, saying, "Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but this attack (by Hezbollah) was very small in scale, meaningless, and caused no injuries or deaths, so it should not interfere with this important process."
Earlier, Israel said three Hezbollah drones had entered its northern territory and that, in retaliation, it had struck a Hezbollah command post in Dahieh. According to Lebanon's state news agency, the Israeli airstrike killed at least three people and wounded 15. In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned on X (formerly Twitter), "If the United States lacks the will and the ability to fulfill the commitments it has made, then it is impossible even to discuss continuing the journey (negotiations) ahead."
Trump said the "important process (the peace agreement and negotiations)" should not be disrupted. "We are very close to an agreement that will bring peace to this region, including Lebanon, and all parties must show restraint," he urged. He added, "Israel must not carry out any further attacks anywhere in Lebanon, and no force, including Hezbollah, must attack Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace," he said. "Let's not miss this opportunity!"
Trump had said he would sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending the war with Iran on Friday. Major foreign media reported the signing would take the form of an electronic signature via video conference. Iran, however, said it would not sign on Friday, Trump's birthday.
