Trump claims Middle East deal “hours away” amid Beirut strike backlash

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that a deal aimed at ending the escalating Middle East conflict was “hours away” from being signed, while sharply criticising Israel over an airstrike in Beirut that he said delayed the agreement and risked derailing negotiations with Iran.

Trump said the agreement was expected to be signed on Sunday, coinciding with his 80th birthday, though Iran has not confirmed any timeline. Despite the tension, both sides have indicated that diplomatic channels remain open.

The developments come amid ongoing indirect talks between Iran and Israel, with mediation efforts supported by regional and international actors, including Qatar.

Beirut strike raises tensions

Momentum toward a potential agreement was disrupted after an Israeli airstrike hit southern Beirut, a known stronghold of Hezbollah. The strike triggered strong reactions from Iranian officials and raised fears of retaliation.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the attack undermined trust in the negotiations, arguing that it showed either a lack of commitment or inability by mediators to enforce assurances.

He warned that continuing talks would be meaningless if commitments could not be upheld, escalating pressure on the diplomatic process.

Trump blames Israel for delay

Trump told Axios that the strike had “delayed the signing,” saying the agreement had been expected within hours. He also criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the timing of the attack, expressing frustration that it had disrupted what he described as a nearly completed deal.

In earlier remarks, Trump said the proposed agreement would help stabilise the region, including Lebanon, and urged all sides to avoid further escalation.

Iran warns of response

Following the strike, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said a response was “imminent,” warning that violations of what it called Iran’s “red lines” would not be tolerated. Officials linked the situation in Lebanon directly to broader regional negotiations, insisting that any deal must address the conflict there as well.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, said the military was preparing for possible retaliatory fire in the coming hours.

International reaction and mediation efforts

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres criticised the timing of the Beirut strike and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier that he did not expect the strike to derail negotiations, insisting that diplomatic progress remained on track.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed that Iran’s security council continued to support negotiations despite internal political pressure, while maintaining control over both military and diplomatic decisions.

Sticking points remain

Key disagreements persist over the scope of any agreement, particularly Iran’s insistence that the Lebanon conflict be included alongside broader regional arrangements.

Tehran has also maintained its position on strategic waterways, while the United States has opposed certain proposed security arrangements, underscoring unresolved tensions even as talks advance.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the situation remains highly volatile, with both progress toward a deal and the risk of regional escalation unfolding simultaneously.