Donald Trump is hoping to celebrate his 80th birthday by signing a peace deal with Iran within hours but fears were growing that Benjamin Netanyahu’s strike could undermine him
Donald Trump launched a foul-mouthed tirade on Benjamin Netanyahu after demanding to know what Israel’s Prime Minister’s was doing after green-lighting an attack on Lebanon.
Israeli airstrikes killed eight people last week, just hours after the US claimed a Middle East peace deal was days away. The bombardment raises major concerns that the nation’s defence from the Hezbollah threat could undermine hopes of a peace settlement.
Trump, who turned 80 today, says it hasn’t – and maintained that a deal with Iran could be done within hours. But in a dramatic phone call today, the US President demanded to know what was going on. Recalled 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.
Monday’s attack came after evacuation orders were issued on the city of Tyre, southern Lebanon and it was understood 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.”
Although Iran had promised to stop firing missiles at Israel, it had warned 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 defence 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 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”.
