U.S. President Donald Trump on the 14th (local time) sharply criticized Israel for carrying out an airstrike on the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon's capital.
On Truth Social, the social media platform, President Trump said, "This morning's attack on Beirut by (Israel) should not have happened," adding, "Especially not on a special day when we have gotten very close to a peace agreement with Iran." He has claimed that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war would be signed on his 80th birthday that day.
President Trump said, "Israel has the right to defend against threats, but the attack it responded to was very small and meaningless. No one was hurt," adding, "This important process (the U.S.-Iran MOU signing) must not be disrupted."
Earlier, Israel carried out an airstrike on the 14th, citing as the reason that Hezbollah, a pro-Iran armed faction in Lebanon, had sent three unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) into its airspace. At least three people were reported killed and 15 wounded in the strike.
President Trump reiterated, "We are very close to an agreement that will bring peace to this region, including Lebanon," and "All parties must show restraint."
In a phone interview the same day with the U.S. online outlet Axios, he emphasized that discussions between the United States and Iran for a war-ending MOU remain valid despite Israel's airstrike on Lebanon and Iran's threat of retaliation.
Regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said, "Why the hell did you have to carry out the attack? I was really angry," adding, "It was an hour before we were going to sign." He went on to harshly criticize Netanyahu, saying, "He has no damned judgment."