Donald Trump reportedly told Israel to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, as reports suggest US intelligence is concerned about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu undermining his deal with Iran.
The US president instructed Israel to accept the ceasefire on Friday, he told NBC News in a call with a reporter, adding: “You just gotta calm down sometimes and use your head”.
It comes as Washington Post reports suggest US intelligence officials are concerned Netanyahu will try to undermine the US peace deal with Iran in a bid to continue its own conflict in Lebanon.
The officials, who spoke anonymously, said Netanyahu’s political survival is linked to showing his domestic audience that he will not withdraw troops from Lebanon.
Earlier, Trump rushed to defend his record after Iran’s supreme leader claimed he had forced through an agreement to end the war out of “desperation”, amid a pile-on of criticism over the deal.
“We didn’t meet out of desperation, Iran did”, the US president wrote on Truth Social. “They are FINISHED! We’ll play out the 60 days. They get no money, not ten cents!”
Anticipated talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland were abruptly called off on Friday.
