Trump Calls Netanyahu 'Crazy' Over Lebanon Ceasefire
President Trump is pushing Israel not to strike Beirut, Lebanon. He says an attack could hurt his peace talks with Iran.
On Monday Trump said Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to stop fighting. He said Iran talks were moving at a 'rapid pace'.
But Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu cast doubt on any truce. Defense Minister Katz said plainly: 'There is no ceasefire in Lebanon.' Hezbollah formally accepted the US ceasefire proposal.
Sources say Trump called Netanyahu 'crazy' and accused him of putting Iran talks at risk. Qatar worked with the US over the weekend and Monday to stop Israeli strikes on Beirut.
Direct Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington were set to begin Tuesday. These would be the first such talks in over 30 years.
Yet Iran's Tasnim news agency reported Tehran had stopped talking to go-betweens. Iran also threatened to widen the conflict by keeping the Strait of Hormuz blocked.
Key Terms 4
- Hezbollah Iran-backed armed group based in Lebanon
- Strait of Hormuz Narrow sea passage; blocking it disrupts global oil supplies
- Ceasefire An agreement to stop fighting temporarily
- Mediators Go-betweens who help two sides reach an agreement