US President Donald Trump publicly rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, stating that the Israeli leader must be "more responsible with respect to Lebanon" and warning that Israel's actions risked undermining a newly announced US-Iran agreement.
Trump Expresses Frustration
Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, Trump revealed his frustration with Israel's recent military actions, particularly a strike on Beirut that took place shortly before the Iran deal was finalized. The US president said he had directly conveyed his displeasure to Israeli officials.
"I didn't like" Israel's attack on Beirut "two hours" before the signing of the agreement with Iran, Trump said. "I let them know that. I didn't like that, not at all."
Trump's comments came during a bilateral meeting with Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, where the two leaders discussed the implications of the US-Iran agreement and broader regional stability.
Trump: 'Without Me There Would Be No Israel'
Asked whether he was frustrated with Netanyahu, Trump delivered some of his strongest remarks yet about the Israeli prime minister.
"Without me there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did," Trump said. While noting that he had enjoyed a "great relationship" with Netanyahu, whom he referred to by his nickname "Bibi", Trump added: "I've had a great relationship with Bibi, but now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon."
Despite concerns over tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv, Trump expressed confidence that the US-Iran agreement could survive even if fighting in Lebanon continued.
"It can," he said when asked whether the deal would endure if Israel launched further attacks in Lebanon. "I consider that the minor war. Iran's the big one, but we have that little pinprick out there that constantly rears its head, and that's Hezbollah."
Qatar Welcomes Iran Deal
During the meeting, Trump praised Qatar's role in regional diplomacy, saying, "We are very, very impressed with Qatar and the way they handled things."
The Emir thanked Trump for his leadership and described the agreement as a significant step towards stability in the Middle East.
"I want to thank you for your leadership in this very critical time in the Middle East. This is a very important deal, there's still a lot of work to be done, but with this momentum – if we continue like that, Mr President – I think we can achieve and do great things in the region," Sheikh Tamim said.
Lebanon Emerges as a Key Sticking Point
The future of Lebanon remains one of the biggest unresolved issues surrounding the agreement. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the deal ending the conflict with the United States also requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory.
"The end of the war in Lebanon is an inseparable part of the complete end of the war," Araghchi said. However, Netanyahu indicated that Israel intends to maintain a military presence in parts of Lebanon "as long as necessary", exposing a major gap between the interpretations of the still-unpublished agreement and raising questions about its long-term viability.
The developments highlight the complex dynamics in the region, with Trump's remarks signaling a potential shift in US-Israel relations, while the Iran deal faces challenges from ongoing conflicts.
