Donald Trump launched a foul-mouthed tirade at Benjamin Netanyahu after demanding to know what Israel's Prime Minister was doing by green-lighting an attack on Lebanon. The Israeli airstrikes killed eight people last week, just hours after the US claimed a Middle East peace deal was days away. The bombardment raised major concerns that Israel's defense against the Hezbollah threat could undermine hopes of a peace settlement.
Trump's Birthday and Peace Hopes
Trump, who turned 80 today, says the deal has not been derailed and maintained that an agreement with Iran could be reached within hours. However, in a dramatic phone call today, the US President demanded to know what was happening. Recalling his conversation with Netanyahu in an interview with Axios this afternoon, the Republican asked: “Why did Bibi have to do a f***ing attack?”
He went on to say: “I was so p****d off. I let him know. He has no f***ing judgement. I let him know that.” Trump said the attacks “should not have happened” but confirmed Washington and Tehran are edging closer to signing an agreement with Iran following months of war.
Details of the Attack
Monday's attack came after evacuation orders were issued on the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, and it was understood that Iran and Israel had agreed to stop the tit-for-tat attacks. Trump has now urged all sides to “stand down,” saying both parties are now “very close” to reaching an agreement. “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 said.
“This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace, let’s not blow it.”
Iran's Warning
Although Iran had promised to stop firing missiles at Israel, it had warned that attacks on Lebanon would end any ceasefire and prompt a more “severe” response. Israel was said to have agreed to halt fighting in Lebanon, but the Prime Minister had warned of a “full force” reaction if Hezbollah attacked. Iranian state TV also reported on Tuesday that at least two members of an Iranian military air defense unit were killed in Israeli attacks on Monday. Those airstrikes were in response to Iran firing dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel in revenge for an attack on Beirut.
Trump claimed last week that a settlement with Iran was coming and that negotiators were “in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal that will not allow in any way, shape or form nuclear weapons.”
