Trump Criticizes Israeli Strike on Beirut as US-Iran Near Breakthrough Draft Peace Deal

Washington/Tehran: US President Donald Trump has pushed back against Israel's latest strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, calling it unnecessary and poorly timed. Speaking as negotiations with Iran appeared to be approaching a breakthrough, Trump said the incident that prompted Israel's response was trivial, "causing no deaths or injuries", and warned that the attack risked undermining a peace process that could benefit the entire region, including Lebanon.

Iran questions whether Washington can be trusted?

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's Parliament Speaker,  was blunt in his reaction. He said Israel's operation suggested the different scenario than the for we are moving ahead. It seems that US was either unwilling or unable to keep its word. In his perspective, Washington was playing a double game. It pressuring Tehran at the negotiating table while allowing Israel to strike at will. He made clear that Iran does not view Israeli and American actions as separate. He also warned that meaningful diplomacy would be hard to sustain if the US continued to fail to follow through on its commitments.

How Israel defends the strike?

The Israeli military described the operation as a targeted hit on a Hezbollah command center in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said it was a direct response to Hezbollah fire and that Israel would not accept attacks on its soil without responding.

What the draft deal contains?

A senior Iranian official spoke to the media that a draft memorandum between the US and Iran would require Tehran to formally commit to not developing nuclear weapons and to freeze its nuclear program pending a final agreement. In return, the US would lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports and ease sanctions. The proposal also calls for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping immediately upon signing.
Trump said a deal could be signed as early as Sunday, and that the Strait of Hormuz would open to all shipping once it is formalized.