Trump Rebukes Netanyahu for Beirut Strike While Urging All Sides to Stand Down for Iran Deal

President Donald Trump telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to rebuke him for Israel's military strike on Beirut. Washington Examiner reported that Trump dismissed Netanyahu as having "no f*ing judgment" during the call. Trump stated in a social media post that the strike jeopardized peace negotiations with Iran.

He told Israel's Channel 12 that he was "very unhappy" with Netanyahu's action because it was unwarranted based on the outcome of Hezbollah's strikes. "Hezbollah fired and hit the middle of nowhere," Trump told Channel 12. "And then he had to do this f*ing attack — and in Beirut.

Trump received news of the strikes shortly before a peace agreement with Iran was to be signed Sunday morning. " Signing a peace deal with Iran by the end of the day Sunday is paramount to Trump. Iran has offered a less expedited time frame as its negotiators review the proposed memorandum.

Israel said its strike on Beirut targeted a Hezbollah command center and was retaliation for missile attacks by Hezbollah terrorists into northern Israel. Iran's parliament speaker claimed the Israeli attack contradicts Washington's commitment to peace.

" He added that there should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon and no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel.

The proposed agreement is less than ideal for Israel, which views the deal as silencing Israel. According to reporting by Axios, Netanyahu was seemingly caught off guard by Trump informing him that a deal with Iran was growing closer. Trump's harsh characterization of Netanyahu's decision would not be the first time the president has lost patience with the prime minister over Israel's actions in the region.