US President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Iran have finalised a memorandum of understanding to end their months-long war, hours after he launched a blistering attack on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for trying to sabotage the agreement with a last-minute strike in Beirut.
Trump told Axios that the deal is "now complete" and remains on track for a formal signing in Switzerland on Friday, despite what he called Netanyahu's "f*****g attack" that nearly derailed the negotiations.
"It shook it up. It delayed the signing by a few hours. It was supposed to be now. Now it is scheduled for a few hours from now," Trump said in a phone call before the deal was finalised. Hours later, he confirmed on Truth Social that "the Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete."
Trump said he was shocked when his advisers called to brief him about the Israeli strike in Beirut, which took place hours before the US and Iran were supposed to sign the deal.
"It is so bad –– I couldn't believe it. An hour before we are supposed to sign the deal," he said.
Trump acknowledged that Hezbollah attacked Israel first but stressed that it did not cause any damage and nobody had been killed.
"Why did Bibi have to do a f*****g attack? I was so pissed off. I let him know. He has no f*****g judgement. I let him know that," Trump said.
Trump claimed the deal will be good for Israel because it will prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, require the disposal of nuclear material and allow snap inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities.
Despite the deal, Iranian officials continued to warn of retaliation for the Israeli strike in Beirut. A senior Iranian military official has said that they have their "finger on the trigger" and are ready to fire at "the enemy's heart."
Channel 12 reported that Israeli officials were left "stunned" by Trump's public criticism of Netanyahu. A senior Israeli official close to Netanyahu told the Hebrew network that "Trump's statement is a resounding slap in the face."
The report added that during one of his recent conversations with Netanyahu, Trump proposed that Israel withdraw physically from southern Lebanon as part of the broader understandings being discussed with Iran. Netanyahu reportedly rejected the idea outright.
Catch the latest world news and top headlines. Download the TOI App.
About the Author
TOI World Desk
At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.
