US-Iran deal in danger after new Israeli attacks in Beirut. Trump: “Let's not screw it up!”
Israel struck a Hezbollah command center in southern Beirut on Sunday, killing three and wounding 15. In response, Iran's chief negotiator accused the US of reneging on its commitments, calling the signing of the peace deal into question, according to the BBC.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck a Hezbollah command center in the Beirut suburb of Dahieh in response to rockets fired by the group into Israeli territory on Sunday morning.
Lebanon's civil protection agency announced that three bodies had been recovered from the rubble. According to Beirut authorities, the number of injured has reached 15, and buildings and shops in the area have suffered significant damage.
Warnings on the US-Iran deal
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that the attack shows that the US is not honoring its commitments or has no ability to do so. He pointed out that Iran insisted that Lebanon be included in the deal and said there was “no point” in discussing continuing “on this path”.
US President Donald Trump reacted on Truth Social, saying Israel's attack on Beirut “shouldn't have happened”, especially on a day when the parties are so close to a peace deal with Iran.
Trump claimed Israel had a “right to defend itself” but the attack it responded to was “very minor and insignificant”. He added that the US and Iran are “very close to an agreement that will bring peace to the region, including Lebanon, and all parties should withdraw.”
Trump called for no more attacks by Israel or “any other party,” adding that this could be “the beginning of a long, beautiful peace — Let's not miss it!” “Let's not screw it up!” the American president also said.
On Saturday, the White House leader had announced that the agreement to end the war with Iran would be signed today. He also said the document would ensure the opening of the Strait of Hormuz “to all” and guarantee that Iran would not build a nuclear weapon.
Iran's Foreign Ministry, however, expressed caution about the timing of the signing of the agreement, warning that “we will have to wait and see what the exact date will be.”
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the new draft deal between Washington and Tehran includes major economic and nuclear provisions, such as unlocking $25 billion in Iranian assets and gradually lifting sanctions in exchange for keeping the nuclear program at current levels.
