WASHINGTON/ JERUSALEM, — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran would not affect ongoing U.S.-Iran peace negotiations, asserting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not determine the course of American diplomacy.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump said a potential agreement to end the wider conflict remained within reach despite Iran’s latest missile attack and Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon.
“It’s not going to have any impact on the deal. I call the shots. He doesn’t call the shots,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu.
The comments came after Israel launched airstrikes near Beirut on Sunday, marking its first attack in the area since Washington announced a Lebanon truce proposal last week. Iran responded by firing missiles toward Israeli targets, raising concerns that the escalation could undermine diplomatic efforts.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted Israel’s Ramat David air base near Nazareth. The Israeli military confirmed missile launches from Iran and said its air defense systems intercepted the projectiles.
Trump and Netanyahu spoke by telephone on Sunday for approximately 30 minutes, according to an Israeli official. Axios reported that Trump urged the Israeli leader to avoid further military action, arguing that a diplomatic breakthrough with Tehran was close.
Hours after the Iranian missile attack, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir stated that Israeli forces had not yet been ordered to strike Iran but were prepared to act if instructed.
The latest exchange of fire pushed global oil prices higher, with Brent crude rising more than 2 percent and climbing above $95 per barrel in early Monday trading.
Despite U.S.-Iran negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, Israel has continued military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Tehran has repeatedly linked any broader settlement with Washington to a sustained ceasefire in Lebanon.
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf warned that U.S. bases and Israeli assets remained legitimate targets, citing what he described as violations of understandings related to Lebanon.
Trump has repeatedly maintained that Washington and Tehran are close to reaching an agreement. In an interview broadcast Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, he said, “We’re very close to a deal, or I’m going to blow the hell out of them.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu defended Sunday’s strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, saying they were carried out in response to Hezbollah attacks against Israel. The operation has drawn criticism from some of his political opponents, who argue it risks undermining ceasefire efforts ahead of national elections.