President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized Israel's early morning strike on Beirut and called for an end to military attacks in Lebanon as the United States seeks to finalize a potential peace agreement with Iran.
"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 on Truth Social.
Trump stopped short of confirming that a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran would be signed Sunday, but indicated negotiations were nearing completion.
Trump had previously said an agreement to end the conflict in the Middle East could be signed as early as Sunday and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately, though Iranian officials had offered a less definitive timeline.
"Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured or killed and should not disrupt this important process," he wrote, suggesting Israel overreacted by targeting Beirut following a Hezbollah attack on northern Israel.
"We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down," Trump added.
The Israeli military said it launched strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut on Sunday after the Iran-backed group fired three projectiles into northern Israel. The strikes came amid efforts to negotiate an end to the U.S.-Iran war, with smoke seen rising over the Lebanese capital.
The exchange marked the latest escalation since the April 7 ceasefire. Israel last struck Beirut's suburbs a week ago, prompting Iran to retaliate with attacks on Israel before Israel responded with strikes on Iran the following day.
Trump said Israel should refrain from carrying out additional military operations in Lebanon.
"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 wrote.
Trump also appeared to indicate that any agreement involving Iran could extend beyond Beirut and affect all of Lebanon.
Israeli officials had previously signaled they would refrain from targeting Beirut while continuing operations deeper in southern Lebanon.
"This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace," Trump wrote. "Let's not blow it!"
The latest uncertainty surrounding the negotiations came after Iran said Sunday there was "no point" in peace talks with the United States, accusing Washington of failing to uphold its commitments and raising questions about whether an agreement could be finalized.