Trump Calls For Restraint After Israel Strikes Beirut Amid Emerging Peace Deal

U.S. President Donald Trump on June 14 urged all sides to “stand down” from attacks in the Middle East, which could have complicated an emerging peace deal between Washington and Tehran.

The president issued a statement calling for the attacks to stop after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck a five-story apartment building and shopping area in a suburb of Beirut on June 14.

“This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post late on the morning of June 14.

Trump suggested he was going to sign a peace agreement with Iran on June 14, which is his 80th birthday, even though the timeline was not confirmed by the regime. On the morning of June 14, Trump told Fox News that he expected a deal to be signed in the coming hours.

“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,” Trump said. “This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace—let’s not blow it!”

Trump told Fox News that he asked Iran not to respond to the Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah and that he criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a call after the attack.

At least three people died and six others were hurt in the Beirut strikes, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense.

The IDF defended the attack in the Lebanese capital earlier in the day, suggesting that the June 14 strikes were retaliatory and aimed at a Hezbollah command center.

“The command center was used by Hezbollah terrorists to advance terrorist attacks against the citizens of the State of Israel and IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon,” the IDF wrote in a Telegram post.

The IDF suggested it used “precise munitions and aerial surveillance” to hit Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist group in Lebanon, and tried to limit the harm to civilians in the area.

“The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to the State of Israel and IDF soldiers, in accordance with the directives of the political echelon,” Israeli forces wrote.

Iran has long stated that a peace deal must include a stop to fighting in Lebanon, it hinted that the June 14 attack might complicate the final stage of negotiations, and it questioned whether the United States is committed to peace.

“America either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so,” Iranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf wrote in an X post.

“If you lack the will and ability to fulfill your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible.”

Netanyahu defended the June 14 attacks.

“Israel will not tolerate fire into its territory,” Netanyahu wrote in an X post on June 14.

Netanyahu separately posted an image of himself and Trump, wishing him a happy birthday.

“I wish you continued strength and vigor as you lead America towards a bright future of peace through strength, and as we continue to bring the U.S.–Israel alliance to ever greater heights,” the prime minister wrote.