President Donald Trump warned Israel and Iran on Sunday not to jeopardize a developing peace agreement as Israeli forces renewed air strikes in Lebanon.
The escalation threatens a U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding intended to end the regional war and restore maritime trade. If the deal succeeds, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately [3].
Israeli military forces targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Beirut and other regions of Lebanon. According to reports, Israel launched more than 120 air strikes [4]. These renewed attacks come as the U.S. administration attempts to finalize a diplomatic framework to stabilize the Middle East.
Trump addressed the situation by calling for restraint from all involved parties. "We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down…this could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it," Trump said [1].
The President emphasized that the agreement is nearly complete and could provide a comprehensive resolution to the hostilities. He said that the region is very close to a deal that would extend peace to Lebanon [2].
The current tension centers on whether the Israeli military's operational goals in Lebanon will override the diplomatic momentum of the U.S. peace initiative. The potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains a primary incentive for the agreement, as the waterway is critical for global energy shipments [3].
““Let’s not blow it””
The intersection of Israeli military action and U.S. diplomacy highlights the fragility of the current peace process. By explicitly linking the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to the signed memorandum, the U.S. is using a high-stakes economic lever to pressure regional actors toward a ceasefire. The outcome depends on whether the Israeli government views the tactical gains in Lebanon as more valuable than the strategic stability offered by the U.S.–Iran deal.
