Trump Condemns Israeli Attack on Beirut, Urges Netanyahu Not to 'Blow It' Amid Iran Peace Talks

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Iran-US war latest: Trump says Israel’s attack on Beirut should ‘not have happened’ as he urges Netanyahu not to ‘blow it’

The strikes in Lebanon have thrown the peace deal into jeopardy

Donald Trump has condemned Israel’s attack on Beirut on Sunday, stating it “should not have happened”.

The US president urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu “let’s not blow it” as negotiations with Iran over a peace deal enter the final stages.

The Israeli military says it has struck Hezbollah infrastructure in the southern suburbs of Beirut, after claiming the group had launched three projectiles towards communities in northern Israel, calling it a blatant ceasefire violation.

However, Trump said those attacks had been “very small and meaningless” and “should not disrupt this important process”.

Iran’s top negotiator has said that the Israeli attacks in Beirut shows “the US either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so”

Washington and Tehran appeared to be getting closer to a deal to end the more than three-month-long conflict, with US and Pakistani leaders forecast a signing ‌on Sunday.

Iran has long made the end of fighting in Lebanon a condition for ‌any wider agreement with ⁠the United States, and have said a final decision on the framework of a peace deal with the US is still under review.

Trump condemns Israeli attack on Beirut

Donald Trump has criticised the Israeli strike on Beirut, saying it “should not have happened” so close to a peace deal.

He said the Hezbollah attack in northern Israel, which Benjamin Netanyahu used to justify the strike, was “very small and meaningless”.

The US president, who had hoped the Iran would sign a peace deal on Sunday, said that “all sides should stand down”.

He said: “This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran.

“Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured, or killed, and should not disrupt this important process.

“We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and 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.

“This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Holly Evans14 June 2026 16:03

Watch: Israel strikes Beirut in breach of ceasefire

Holly Evans14 June 2026 15:38

Israel preparing for possible fire in coming hours

Israeli military has said they are preparing for possible fire towards Israel in the coming hours.

The IDF said they are ready for defensive and offensive scenarios, after they launched strikes at Beirut in Lebanon.

Holly Evans14 June 2026 15:21

Netanyahu defies Trump over Lebanon strikes while peace deal is near

The peace deal in its current form is a deep disappointment to Israel's government.

The last time Israel struck the Beirut suburbs a week ago, it set off the most serious escalation of fighting between Iran and Israel since the tenuous ceasefire took hold April 7.

.There was no immediate White House comment on Israel's strikes. US President Donald Trump, who had said the deal could be signed Sunday, has pressed Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop hitting Lebanon hard while a deal is near, but the prime minister has defied him.

Netanyahu's office said the strikes were in response to Hezbollah attacks on the north of the country.

There was no immediate comment from the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

Holly Evans14 June 2026 15:01

Netanyahu sends birthday message to Trump

Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has posted a message to Donald Trump on the US president's 80th birthday.

"This year your birthday comes at an auspicious time," Benjamin Netanyahu wrote in a post on social media.

He said: “Happy birthday Donald.

“This year your birthday comes at an auspicious time. America celebrates 250 years of freedom - a great nation built on liberty and faith.

“I wish you continued strength and vigor as you lead America towards a bright future of peace through strength, and as we continue to bring the U.S. - Israel alliance to ever greater heights.”

Holly Evans14 June 2026 14:47

Iran negotiator says US 'lacks the will to fulfill its commitments'

Iran’s top negotiator has said that the Israeli attacks in Beirut shows “the US either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so”.

The peace deal is now in jeopardy, after both US and Iran signalled that they were in the final stages of finalising negotiations.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said: “The Zionists' incursion into Dahiyeh has once again shown that America either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so. By giving the green light to the regime, you cannot gain concessions.

“The game of bad cop and good cop is outdated. If you lack the will and ability to fulfill your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible.”

Holly Evans14 June 2026 13:55

In pictures: Israel launches strikes on Beirut

Holly Evans14 June 2026 13:25

Israeli military attacks Hezbollah in Beirut's southern suburbs, statement says

The Israeli military ⁠attacked on Sunday Hezbollah targets in ⁠Beirut's ​southern ⁠suburbs, the group's ⁠stronghold known ​as ⁠Dahiyeh, according ‌to a joint statement ‌by Prime Minister ‌Benjamin Netanyahu ⁠and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

The attack came in response to ‌Hezbollah's ​firing ‌into Israeli territory, ⁠the ⁠statement said.

Holly Evans14 June 2026 13:00

What you need to know about possible US-Iran peace deal to end Middle East war

The United States and Iran appear close to a deal to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Friday the U.S. and Iran agreed to wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East and that mediators were working with both sides to finalize a deal.

However, Tehran has cast doubt over the timing of the signing. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking before Trump's post, had cautioned against commenting on the timing of the signing but was quoted by state media saying it could happen "in the coming days".

Previous declarations of an imminent breakthrough failed to materialize.

Read the full analysis here:

What you need to know about possible US-Iran peace deal to end Middle East war

US and Iran appear close to a deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz

Holly Evans14 June 2026 12:40

Peace deal jeopardised as Israel strikes Beirut

The Israeli military says it has struck Hezbollah infrastructure in the southern suburbs of Beirut, in a move that could jeopardise Donald Trump’s peace deal with Iran.

A "precise strike" was conducted on a command centre used by the terrorist group, the IDF says.

Its statement adds: "Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance."

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was in response to Hezbollah firing into Israeli territory.

Holly Evans14 June 2026 12:18