Trump Tells Netanyahu To Be "More Responsible" In Lebanon, Says His Iran Deal Can Survive

President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticized Israel's campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show greater restraint to avoid civilian harm. While expressing continued personal rapport with Netanyahu, Trump warned that military operations should be conducted with more care for noncombatants.

What Trump Said

Asked whether the nuclear agreement his administration supports could survive if Israel were to strike inside Lebanon, Trump replied:

"It can."

He also criticized parts of Israel's tactics in the conflict, saying:

"Israel is fighting Hezbollah too long and too many people are being killed. And you don't have to knock down an apartment house every time you're looking for somebody."

At the same time, he reiterated that he has a strong personal relationship with Netanyahu: "I've had a great relationship with Bibi but now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon."

On the Iran Agreements

Trump used the opportunity to contrast the recent deal his administration favors with the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement negotiated under President Barack Obama. He described the newer pact as "a wall to a nuclear weapon," while calling Obama's deal "a road to a nuclear weapon."

Observers note, however, that the Obama-era agreement (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) imposed strict limits on Iran's uranium enrichment and that Tehran complied with those constraints until the United States withdrew from the pact during Trump's first presidency.

Why It Matters

Trump's remarks highlight tensions between U.S. diplomatic efforts with Iran and ongoing regional conflicts involving Israel and Hezbollah. His call for more cautious Israeli operations underscores international concern about civilian casualties in Lebanon and the broader risk of escalation that could affect regional stability and nuclear diplomacy.