Israeli officials believe President Donald Trump may be prepared to grant additional concessions to Iran in an effort to prevent Tehran from retaliating for Israel’s strike on a Hezbollah target in Beirut’s Dahieh district, according to a report Sunday by Channel 12.
While the exact nature of any potential concession remains unclear, the report said intensive diplomatic discussions are taking place behind closed doors as the administration seeks to preserve momentum toward a broader agreement with Iran.
According to the report, American officials have also conveyed a clear message to Israel: Israel should avoid taking any steps that could endanger the emerging deal. The understanding reportedly extends even to a scenario in which Iran carries out an attack, with expectations that Israel would refrain from actions that could derail negotiations.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, claimed that the Trump administration offered financial incentives in exchange for restraint. Tehran said it rejected the proposal, declaring, “We will not betray our allies (Hezbollah). The response is close.”
Tensions escalated after Israel carried out a strike in Beirut following the explosion of several Hezbollah drones inside Israeli territory. The operation occurred on the same day Trump had reportedly hoped to finalize a memorandum of understanding with the Iranian regime.
Reacting angrily on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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.”
The president argued that Israel’s response was disproportionate to the threat it faced, saying that “Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured, or killed, and should not disrupt this important process.”
Trump also suggested that the proposed agreement would bring stability beyond Iran itself, stating, “We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down.”
Calling for restraint from both sides, he added: “There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace – Let’s not blow it!”
In an interview with Fox News, Trump revealed details of a conversation with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu after the strike, saying he asked him, “What the are you doing?” and instructed him not to launch additional attacks.
The president’s frustration was even more apparent in comments he made to Axios reporter Barak Ravid. Speaking candidly about the Israeli operation, Trump said: “Why did Bibi have to do a …. attack? I was so pissed off. I let him know. He has no ….judgement. I let him know that.”
According to Channel 12, one of Netanyahu’s closest confidants said Trump’s public criticism was met with shock in Israel. A senior Israeli official described the administration’s position as a dramatic shift in U.S.-Israel relations.
“Trump’s announcement is a resounding slap in the face. The restrictions have reached a new level—the expectation that we not strike inside Lebanese territory is inconsistent with the notion of a strategic ally,” the official said.
{Matzav.com}15