Trump demands parties ‘stand down’ following airstrikes on Beirut and rocket attacks
Updated ,first published
London: The United States and Iran have reached a peace deal that includes an immediate ceasefire on “all fronts” of the war in the Middle East, including Lebanon, President Donald Trump said, after a series of conflicts nearly derailed the agreement.
Trump confirmed the outcome immediately after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key negotiator of the talks, officially announced the agreement.
In his statement, Sharif stated that the signing ceremony will be held in Switzerland this Friday and said, “Both sides declared that military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, have been terminated immediately and permanently.” he said.
Trump confirmed the agreement with a social media statement declaring that the Strait of Hormuz would be open.
“The agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations everyone!” He said this on social media early Sunday evening (around 7.30am Monday morning, AEST) in Washington.
“I authorize the free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and I also authorize the immediate lifting of the U.S. Navy blockade. Ships of Earth, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”
The news comes after tense conflict in Lebanon and high-stakes diplomacy to save the deal; Trump has been calling on all parties to “step back” from recent conflicts in order to sign a deal that would bring peace to the region.
Trump scolded Israel on Sunday for launching air strikes on Lebanon that threatened to destroy the potential deal.
The Israeli government also accused Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon of firing rockets at civilian targets in northern Israel and violating the ceasefire; this led to attacks on Beirut in response.
In a sign of Trump’s anger over the strikesHe told the Axios news site that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “no decision” and was putting the talks at risk, but expressed confidence that a peace deal would be reached.
“Why did Bibi have to launch a fucking attack? I’m so angry,” Trump told Axios, using the Israeli leader’s nickname.
Trump told Fox News that he called Netanyahu and told him not to launch any more attacks against Hezbollah, asking him “What the hell are you doing?” He said he asked.
Trump also said he would ask Iran not to respond to missile attacks on Israel.
The Israeli government held a cabinet meeting on Sunday night (Monday AEST) to consider its next steps after Iranian leaders warned of a “strong response” to attacks on Beirut.
“Israel will not tolerate fire directed at its own territory,” Netanyahu said in a joint statement with Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Hezbollah’s rocket attack took place on Sunday morning (Beirut time), casting doubt on peace talks as Trump prepares to celebrate his birthday with a UFC cage fight at the White House.
Hours after the rocket fire, the Israel Defense Forces hit the Dahiyeh area, a Hezbollah stronghold south of Beirut. Lebanon’s national news agency NNA said at least three people were killed and 14 others were injured.
Trump expressed his frustration on social media, urging all parties to “stand down” and describing the rocket attack on Israel as relatively minor.
“The attack on Beirut this morning should not have happened, especially on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Agreement with Iran,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it responded to was so minor and meaningless, no one was injured, injured or killed, and this important process should not be disrupted.
“We are very close to an agreement that will bring peace to the region, including Lebanon, and all parties need to step back.
“There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no attacks on Israel by any other party, including Hezbollah. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace – Let’s not ruin it!”
In the message, it was emphasized that the peace talks were at risk, despite Trump’s comments to the media that an agreement would be reached within hours.
The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammed Bagher Galibaf, said that the Israeli attack revealed America’s inability to restrain Israel.
“The Zionist attack on Dahiyeh showed once again that America lacks either the will or the ability to fulfill its commitments. You cannot win concessions by giving the regime the green light. The game of bad cop and good cop is outdated,” he said.
Ibrahim Azizi, chairman of the national security committee of the Iranian parliament, said that there will be a “strong response” to Israel after the attack on Beirut.
However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s statement that the country’s highest-level negotiating body supports the “negotiation path” with the United States showed that the reactions highlighted the divisions within Iran.
“The Supreme National Security Council has concluded that the path of negotiation must be followed,” Pezeshkian said in a meeting with media officials, according to Agence France-Presse.
Lebanon’s national news agency reported that Israel carried out airstrikes on targets outside the capital, including the southern city of Nabatiyeh, on Sunday.
Israel launched an attack on targets in Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli communities on March 2, in its inevitable decision to side with Iran. The country’s Ministry of Public Health said Israel had 3,783 martyrs and 11,699 injured in its attacks on March 2 and June 14.
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David Crowe is the European correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect with: X or email.
