President Donald Trump has called for calm after Iran fired missiles at Israel in response to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, warning that further escalation will destroy peace efforts.
Trump said no one was hurt in the Iranian missile attack and that he had been briefed on the situation. He told Israeli journalist Barak Ravid that Israel must not respond again. "Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don't need another one," Trump said, adding that parties are very close to a deal to end the war.
The President made clear he was unhappy with Israel's latest military operations in the region and that they were not coordinated with the United States. "If Netanyahu responds, this will continue and continue," Trump told N12, emphasising that further strikes will derail the peace process.
The Israeli Defense Forces struck Hezbollah's headquarters in the Dahieh district of Beirut on Sunday in response to rocket fire on Israeli territory. The IDF said it also destroyed a Hezbollah tunnel system under the Beaufort Ridge that contained living quarters, electrical infrastructure, and anti-tank and aerial defence capabilities. The military said it had requested that the Lebanese Armed Forces address the site as part of Israel-Lebanon peace efforts, but Hezbollah blocked any action.
An IDF spokesperson said in response to the Iranian strikes: "The Iranian regime made a grave mistake." Defence systems intercepted the retaliatory missiles fired from Iran.
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters justified its strikes, demanding that Israel stop targeting southern Lebanon and the Dahieh suburb. Tehran accused Jerusalem of "repeated ceasefire violations and increasing aggression against the oppressed people of Lebanon" and vowed further attacks if Israel expands its offensive.
Trump's push for restraint marks a significant diplomatic effort to prevent the conflict from widening further. The President's comments suggest the United States sees an opportunity to move toward a ceasefire deal if both sides step back from immediate retaliation.
