israeli attack
The deal was sealed despite the Israeli attack on Lebanon on Sunday, which was criticized by both Iran and Trump.
Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf previously said in a post on Twitter that Israel’s latest attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs, which Israel said targeted Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, shows the United States lacks “the will and ability to live up to its commitments.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it held the United States responsible for the attack. Iran warned of a “strong response”, and its top joint military command said its “finger is on the trigger” ready to fire at “the heart of the enemy”.
In a post earlier Sunday, Trump said: “This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, especially on a special day when we are so close to a peace deal with Iran.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has differed from Trump over US demands that Israel curb its military action in Lebanon so the United States can reach a deal with Iran.
Fox News quoted an unnamed diplomat involved in the talks as saying Israel attacked the complex efforts to finalize a US-Iran deal and described it as an attempt to sabotage those efforts.
Israel did not respond to the claim. Israel has said it will retain freedom of operations in Lebanon, while Iran has made a complete ceasefire there a key component of its demands.
Israel’s N12 quoted a senior official as saying that Trump briefed Netanyahu on progress toward a peace deal during a phone call on Sunday.