Trump says Israeli strike on Lebanon should not have happened, but Iran deal close
Main Developments in the U.S.-Iran-Israel-Lebanon Crisis
By Parisa Hafezi and Phil Stewart
Overview of Recent Events
DUBAI/WASHINGTON, June 14 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump criticised an Israeli strike on Lebanon that could complicate attempts to finalise a framework deal between the United States and Iran on Sunday on ending their war, but said an agreement was nonetheless close.
Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Israel's attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut, which Israel said targeted Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, showed the United States lacks the will or ability to fulfil its commitments.
Iran's foreign ministry said it holds the United States responsible for Israel's attack in Lebanon. Iran warned of a "strong response." Its top joint military command said the "finger (is) on the trigger" ready to fire at the "enemy's heart".
Trump's Response
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump 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."
"We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down," Trump wrote.
Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Reignited
ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH CONFLICT REIGNITED
The conflict between Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah in Lebanon was reignited by the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran in February.
Israel's Position and U.S. Mediation
Israel has said it is not party to the planned U.S.-Iran deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has differed with Trump over American demands that Israel curb its military action in Lebanon to allow the United States to reach a deal with Iran.
"If you lack the will and ability to fulfil your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible," Qalibaf wrote on X, criticising the United States.
Progress Toward a Deal
Trump and mediator Pakistan said on Saturday they expected the deal would be signed on Sunday, which is the U.S. president's 80th birthday. An official involved in the talks said on Sunday that mediators were optimistic the deal was "nearly over the line." A Kremlin aide said Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on Sunday that a deal was near.
Iran cast doubt over the timing even before the strike on Beirut, saying on Saturday that the signing would not be on Sunday though it could happen in the coming days.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that, under the terms of the draft deal, the United States would agree to release $25 billion of frozen Iranian assets, while Iran would agree not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons.
Qatari negotiators flew to Tehran on Sunday morning as part of efforts to finalise the agreement, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.
Escalation and Regional Impact
The Israeli military said on Sunday Hezbollah had launched three projectiles towards communities in northern Israel. Israel then fired at what it called Hezbollah targets in the Dahiyeh neighbourhood of Beirut in an attack that Lebanon's civil defence said killed three people.
Fox News quoted an unidentified diplomat involved in the talks as saying the Israeli strikes were complicating efforts to finalise the U.S.-Iran deal, and describing them as an attempt to sabotage those efforts.
Israel did not respond to the assertion. Israel has said it will retain freedom of operations in Lebanon. Iran has made a full ceasefire there an important component of its demands.
In Sunday's post, Trump said 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".
Uncertainty Over Timing of Signing
UNCERTAINTY OVER TIMING OF SIGNING
Thousands of people have been killed, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, since the U.S. and Israeli forces began attacks on Iran on February 28. Iran has struck Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. bases, and has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies, pushing up global energy prices. U.S. forces have blocked Iranian ports.
Details of the Draft Agreement
Iran's Fars news agency, citing an informed source, said on Sunday Iran has not yet made a final decision on the framework agreement, with reviews of its political, legal and technical aspects under way.
Draft terms described to Reuters by multiple sources indicate the United States would begin releasing frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on its oil exports in return for Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's nuclear programme would then be addressed during a 60-day period of talks.
The senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday that Iran agreed to maintain the nuclear status quo, including no uranium enrichment or expanding nuclear facilities, until a final deal is reached.
A U.S. official said the agreement would ultimately lead to the dismantling of Iran's nuclear programme, with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to be destroyed and removed.
The senior Iranian official said the draft deal would allow Iran, which denies seeking a nuclear bomb, to dilute its enriched uranium inside the country.
Military and Political Reactions
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the end of the naval blockade on Iran would "start immediately" once an accord is signed, but the timing would depend on the strait reopening. Hegseth said the United States has the capacity to clear the strait to ensure safe transit.
Hegseth, speaking on CBS's "Face the Nation" program, said the United States plans to keep enough military force in the region to "make sure the military option is still there" during negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme.
Public Sentiment in Iran
At pro-government rallies across Iran on Saturday night, residents and news agencies reported that hardliners opposed to the framework agreement loudly voiced their dissatisfaction.
A resident in the northeastern city of Mashhad told Reuters that some protesters chanted "Death to the compromiser," in an apparent reference to Foreign Minister Abbas
