ISRAELI ATTACK
The agreement was sealed despite an Israeli strike on Lebanon on Sunday that drew criticism from both Iran and Trump.
Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf earlier said Israel’s latest attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut, which Israel said targeted Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, showed the US lacks “the will and ability to fulfill your commitments” in a post on X.
Iran’s foreign ministry said it held the US responsible for the attack. Iran warned of a “strong response”, and its top joint military command said the “finger (is) on the trigger” ready to fire at the “enemy’s heart”.
In a post earlier on Sunday, Trump said: “This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has differed with Trump over American demands that Israel curb its military action in Lebanon to allow the US to reach a deal with Iran.
Fox News quoted an unidentified diplomat involved in the talks as saying the Israeli strikes complicated efforts to finalise the US-Iran deal, and calling them an attempt to sabotage those efforts.
Israel did not respond to the assertion. Israel has said it will retain freedom of operation in Lebanon, while Iran has made a full ceasefire there an important component of its demands.
Trump updated Netanyahu on the progress toward a peace deal during a phone call on Sunday, Israel’s N12 reported, citing a senior official.