Trump Criticizes Israel's Strike on Hezbollah, Urges Restraint Amid Iran Threats

A drone strike on northern Israel prompted Israel to retaliate by targeting Hezbollah positions in Beirut on Sunday. This escalation occurs just hours before a planned U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at ending hostilities. Iranian officials have indicated that Israel's actions could jeopardize the deal. President Trump criticized Israel's strike in a post on Truth Social, stating it was inappropriate given the proximity of a peace agreement, and referred to the initial drone attack as 'very small and meaningless.' He called for all parties to exercise restraint, suggesting that the situation could lead to a lasting peace. Hezbollah had launched several drones at northern Israel earlier on Sunday, prompting Israel to strike a Hezbollah command center in Beirut, resulting in the death of a Hezbollah commander and injuries to four others. The Israeli military informed U.S. Central Command prior to the strike, but it remains unclear if the White House approved the action. Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that the Israeli strike could undermine the U.S.-Iran negotiations, criticizing the U.S. for not fulfilling its commitments. The Iranian armed forces' deputy commander stated that the Israeli attack would not go unanswered. The IDF has prepared for potential retaliatory actions and emphasized its intolerance for attacks on Israeli territory. In contrast, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth downplayed the threat to the negotiations, asserting that the strike would not disrupt talks and describing Israel's response as measured.