Trump told Qatar’s leader he was frustrated by Israel’s Lebanon campaign, suggesting Syria could handle Hezbollah. He warned such actions might jeopardize talks with Tehran.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed disappointment with Israel’s military operation in Lebanon and said that Syria could more effectively counter Hezbollah.
The remarks were made at the G7 summit during a meeting with the leader of Qatar.
Trump also noted that Israel’s operation against Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters nearly derailed peace talks with Tehran.
“I urged Israel to let Syria deal with Hezbollah,” Trump said. “I am not pleased with how Israel has handled Lebanon and Hezbollah. They should have done this more quickly. This just goes on forever, and when that happens, it casts a negative light on the big deal, namely the Iran deal.”
– Donald Trump
Context of Events
Such remarks underscore the intensification of tensions over Israel’s actions in Lebanon amid the tense relations between Iran and Israel.
The prospect of opening the Strait of Hormuz may depend on developments around Lebanon, taking into account how Israel responds to these challenges. At the same time, Trump reiterated the need for greater responsibility on the part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the region.
“I had great relations with Bibi, but now Bibi needs to be more responsible regarding Lebanon,” said the U.S. president.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. President Donald Trump that he would not withdraw Israeli forces from Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
In the context of these events, the U.S. position remains pivotal to regional dynamics, and Washington continues to monitor developments in Lebanon and its relations with Israel.