US President Donald Trump has downplayed concerns that the latest exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran could undermine ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran, asserting that efforts to secure a peace agreement remain on track despite rising tensions in the region.
According to a Reuters report, Trump said fresh military action by both sides would not affect his administration’s diplomatic push to end the wider conflict.
His comments came after Israel carried out strikes near Beirut on Sunday and Iran responded by launching missiles toward Israeli targets.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump projected confidence in the negotiations and emphasised that he, rather than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was directing the broader strategy.
“It’s not going to have any impact on the deal," Trump said.
“I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn’t call the shots," he said.
The renewed violence has raised questions about whether the fragile diplomatic process between the United States and Iran can survive another escalation.
However, Trump insisted that an agreement remains within reach.
Reuters reported that Trump has been urging Israel to curb military operations in Lebanon to preserve momentum in talks with Tehran.
Although Israel and Hezbollah have continued exchanging fire, the US President has sought to prevent those hostilities from spilling over into the broader negotiations.
An Israeli official told Reuters that Trump and Netanyahu spoke by phone for less than half an hour on Sunday.
While details of the conversation were not officially disclosed, Reuters cited an Axios report quoting a US official who said Trump urged Netanyahu not to authorise additional strikes because “we are close to doing something good in terms of a deal."
The official reportedly added that Trump had “bought a little bit of time" for diplomatic efforts.
IRAN STRIKES ISRAELI TARGETS
The latest flare-up began after Israeli strikes hit the Beirut area for the first time since Washington unveiled a ceasefire proposal for Lebanon last week.
Iran subsequently launched missiles at Israel, escalating fears of a wider regional confrontation.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted the Ramat David air base near Nazareth.
The Israeli military acknowledged missile launches from Iran and said its air defence systems intercepted the projectiles.
In a brief statement issued shortly after midnight Monday, the Israeli military quoted Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir as saying that Israeli forces had not yet received instructions to strike Iran but would act “with determination" if such orders were given.
The escalation also rattled global energy markets.
Reuters reported that Brent crude futures climbed more than 2 per cent in early Monday trading, moving back above $95 per barrel.
Meanwhile, a key obstacle in the broader peace effort remains the conflict in Lebanon.
Israel has continued military operations against Hezbollah even as negotiations with Iran have progressed.
