U.S. President Donald Trump plans to urge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid further military escalation following an Iranian missile attack on Israel, according to a report by Axios. Tehran launched the projectiles in retaliation for recent Israeli airstrikes near Beirut, complicating fragile diplomatic efforts.
The latest flare-up intensifies ongoing regional tensions rooted in the conflict in Lebanon. Iran has consistently maintained that any peace agreement with the United States hinges on a sustained ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli forces launched operations in March against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Hezbollah had been conducting cross-border strikes against Israel in a show of support for Tehran.
Despite active diplomatic channels, Israel executed airstrikes in the Beirut area early Sunday, marking its first military action in the Lebanese capital since Washington introduced a ceasefire proposal the previous week.
Hours later, the Israeli military detected and intercepted incoming missiles fired from Iran. Israeli authorities have not yet released data regarding casualties or structural damage.
A U.S. official confirmed to Reuters that Trump, who spent the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, was briefed on the rapidly escalating situation.
While the White House withheld an immediate formal statement, Trump expressed deep concern that the strikes would derail ongoing talks.
”It’s certainly not going to help negotiations.”
The U.S. President also directed a warning to Tehran, urging an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to diplomacy.
”What I would suggest to Iran: You’ve shot your missiles, that’s enough, get back to the table and make a deal.”
When questioned about Israel’s preceding airstrike near Beirut, Trump openly voiced his disapproval of the military action.
”I’m not happy about it.”
Axios reported that Trump intends to speak directly with Netanyahu to advise against a counterstrike. However, Tehran has remained defiant.
Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf, a key figure in the peace talks, defended the missile barrage and warned that both Israeli assets and U.S. military facilities could be targeted due to alleged violations in Lebanon.
”They showed that they only understand the language of power.”
Compounding the rhetoric, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, warned on social media that Iran would deliver a “decisive and painful response” to Israel’s operations in Lebanon. Conversely, an Israeli official stated that the nation would counter any aggression originating from Iranian soil, noting that such attacks could justify a renewal of its broader military campaign.
Direct confrontation between Iran and Israel has been largely subdued since a regional ceasefire took effect in April, though Hezbollah has maintained sporadic attacks on Israeli territory.
Efforts by Washington and Tehran to secure a permanent peace deal have yielded minimal progress since the war began in February, when Trump ordered joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes against Iran.
In a separate interview with NBC News marking the conflict’s 100th day, Trump reiterated his dual approach of diplomacy backed by heavy military threats.
”We’re very close to a deal, or I’m going to blow the hell out of them.”