Israel has carried out a fresh airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, escalating tensions in Lebanon despite an existing ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending broader regional hostilities.
The strike targeted the Dahiyeh district, drawing strong condemnation from Iran. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the attack demonstrated either a lack of willingness or an inability on the part of the United States to uphold its commitments.
“The Zionists’ incursion into Dahiyeh has once again shown that America either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so,” Ghalibaf said. “By giving the green light to the regime, you cannot gain concessions. The game of bad cop and good cop is outdated.”
He further warned that progress toward any broader agreement would be difficult if commitments were not honored.
“If you lack the will and ability to fulfill your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible,” he added.
The Israeli strike also prompted a rare public rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed concern that the attack could undermine ongoing peace negotiations involving Iran and regional actors.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, “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.”
“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 claimed.
Trump added that negotiations were nearing a breakthrough that could help stabilize the region, including Lebanon.
“We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down,” he said. “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.”
Calling for restraint from all sides, Trump concluded that the current moment could represent a historic opportunity for peace.
“This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — let’s not blow it,” he said.
