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US President Donald Trump has responded to the latest escalation in the Middle East with a clear call: Israel and Iran must "immediately stop firing."
In a post on his platform Truth Social, the president expressed concern over renewed rocket attacks and airstrikes between the two countries, which continue despite previous U.S. efforts to prevent further escalation.
According to an Israeli military source, tensions flared up again after Iran fired nearly 30 ballistic missiles at Israel since Sunday night. On top of that, Yemeni Houthi rebels launched two additional missiles toward Israel, one of which reportedly crashed before reaching Israeli territory. Israeli emergency services report no injuries in the attacks, although this information could not be independently verified.
Trump urges immediate ceasefire amid Israeli-Iranian escalation
Trump had urged restraint from Israel before this new escalation. After previous Iranian missile attacks, he said he would ask Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from retaliatory strikes so as not to jeopardize a possible peace agreement between the United States and Iran. In an interview with Britain's Financial Times on Sunday, Trump stated that Netanyahu will have "no choice" but to accept a future U.S.-Iranian agreement. "I'm in charge. I call the shots, he doesn't," the president said.
Last week, Axios reported on a particularly tense phone conversation between the two leaders following the situation in Lebanon. Trump confirmed that the conversation had taken place, and did not deny reports of the sharp exchange of words.
At the same time, Israel continues the violence in Lebanon. The Lebanese state news agency NNA reported several Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon Monday afternoon, reportedly killing at least four people near the town of Nabatiye.
Iran threatens retaliation if an attack is carried out on Hezbollah or other allies. Sadegh Amoli Larijani, head of Iran's Council for Balancing Interests, said the attacks were an "official declaration of a strategic doctrine." Any attack on a member of the "axis of resistance," including Hezbollah, will be met with a response that "transcends geographical boundaries."
Trump still expects a quick deal between Israel and Iran. Both sides, he said, are prepared to "immediately declare a cease-fire" while final negotiations on a peace deal are in full swing. However, the U.S. blockade against Iran will remain in place until a final agreement is reached.
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