Chicago – June 14, 2026
President Donald Trump strongly rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Israel’s airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, calling the attack “should not have happened” on a “special day” when a peace deal with Iran is imminent.
In a Truth Social post Sunday, Trump condemned the Israeli strike on Hezbollah targets in densely populated Beirut, emphasizing it was unnecessary and could jeopardize ongoing negotiations. He characterized the drone assault that prompted Israel’s retaliation as “very small and meaningless,” with no injuries reported.
Despite the diplomatic tension, Trump maintained he still expects a one-page memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran to be signed Sunday, his 80th birthday. The deal, negotiated with Pakistan as mediator, would end the war in the Gulf, lift U.S. sanctions, unfreeze billions in Iranian assets, and open the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump warned both sides: “There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by Hezbollah against Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it!”.
