Trump Criticizes Israel's Beirut Attack as Iran Deal Nears

The Lead

US President Donald Trump has criticized Israel for launching an attack on Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on the day he said a deal to end the US-Israeli war with Iran could be signed.

Trump's Statement on the Beirut Attack

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said the Israeli attack on Beirut 'should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran'. He added that 'We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down.'

The Data Analysis

The Israeli attack on Beirut resulted in at least three people killed, according to authorities. The attack was in response to Hezbollah firing projectiles towards northern Israel.

The Impact Analysis

Trump's criticism of Israel's attack comes as the US and Iran are close to signing a deal to end the fighting. The deal, if signed, would bring an immediate halt to fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and would see the Strait of Hormuz opened and the US naval blockade lifted.

The Prediction

While no official terms of the initial agreement have been released, both sides have indicated that the deal is closer than ever. However, questions over the deeply entrenched issues of the future of Iran's nuclear programme, frozen Iranian assets, and sanctions relief are expected to be addressed in a 60-day period following the initial signing.