Trump urges Netanyahu not to retaliate against Iran

Trump told Axios he would call Netanyahu and press him not to retaliate. Iran's chief peace negotiator, parliamentary speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf, stated that U.S. bases and Israeli assets are legitimate targets due to hostile acts, including the 'violation of agreements over Lebanon.' Another Iranian lawmaker, Ebrahim Rezaei, posted that Iran would deliver a 'decisive and painful response' to the Israeli strikes.

An Israeli official, responding to the threats, told Reuters that Israel would retaliate against any attacks on its territory from Iran and would consider it 'an opportunity to renew the campaign.' The wider war has been stalemated since early April, with Tehran reportedly blocking most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has also imposed its own blockade of Iranian ports.

Trump has previously urged Israel to scale back its campaign in Lebanon to facilitate a peace deal with Iran, reportedly rebuking Netanyahu in a phone call last week. Following that call, Netanyahu reportedly called off air strikes on Beirut and agreed to a truce plan. However, Israel has not fully halted its campaign, and Hezbollah, which was not party to the truce, has continued its attacks.

Netanyahu stated that Sunday's strikes on Beirut's southern outskirts were ordered in response to Hezbollah firing toward Israel. The Israeli military also reported intercepting projectiles fired over the border and issued an evacuation order for southern Lebanese cities.