New York: Donald Trump on Sunday slammed Israel’s strikes on Beirut, saying that these attacks came “on a special day” when the US and Iran were “close” to a peace deal.
The American President urged all sides to “stand down”, and called for “no more attacks by Israel on Lebanon” or by any other party.
“This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so clo
se to a Peace Deal with Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“All sides should stand down. There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel,” he added.
Trump acknowledged that Israel has the right to defend itself, but pointed out that the attack it responded to was “very small and meaningless” in which no one was hurt or killed.
Even as Trump pulled up Israel, Iran was justifiably upset with the strikes on Beirut, questioning America’s commitment to peace efforts.
Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said showed that the US lacked the will or ability to fulfil its commitments.
“If you lack the will and ability to fulfil your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible,” Ghalibaf wrote on X, obviously in reference to peace moves.
Mohammad Jafar Assadi, deputy commander of Iran’s top joint military command, told state media that Israeli “crimes” in Beirut’s southern suburbs won’t go unanswered.