The situation in the Middle East remains tense, with US President Donald Trump claiming that a deal with Iran is imminent within the next few hours, while Tehran issues harsh warnings, speaking of “teaching attackers a lesson.” In this climate of tension, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that all flights to and from western Iran’s airports have been suspended until further notice due to deteriorating security conditions.
The decision was taken due to current security conditions in the region, with no further details provided about the duration of restrictions or when normal airport operations will resume. Authorities are calling on passengers to monitor official announcements and contact airlines before any travel. It should be noted that similar orders were issued before each Iranian missile attack against Israel and Gulf countries.
Trump furious with Netanyahu: “I told him what the hell are you doing?”
Earlier, the American president called the Israeli prime minister and expressed his displeasure in particularly strong terms: “I told him what the hell are you doing?” he emphasized to the American outlet. According to Axios, the American president said he was shocked when his advisors called to brief him about the Israeli raid on Beirut and was furious with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“It’s so bad, I couldn’t believe it. One hour before we sign the deal. We were supposed to sign the deal this morning, but the Israeli raid on Beirut delayed it,” Trump added.
“Why did Bibi have to make a f***ing attack? I was so pissed off. I told him. He has no f***ing judgment. I told him that,” Trump told Axios. “It screwed everything up. It delayed the signing by several hours. It was supposed to happen now. Now it’s scheduled for a few hours from now,” Trump said in a phone call with Axios.
Israeli officials surprised by Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu
Israeli officials said they were “surprised” by Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu, expressing fears that a potential US-Iran deal could lead to restrictions on Israel’s military action in Lebanon, Channel 12 reports.
A senior Israeli official close to Netanyahu told the Israeli network that officials in Jerusalem were surprised by Trump’s comments, which included accusations that the prime minister “has no f***ing judgment,” saying: “Trump’s statement is a resounding slap in the face. The constraints (on Israel) have moved to another level. The expectation that we won’t strike anywhere in Lebanon is incompatible with the behavior of a strategic ally.”
The report states that during one of his recent conversations with Netanyahu, Trump proposed Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon as part of broader agreements being discussed with Iran. Netanyahu reportedly categorically rejected the idea, arguing it would serve neither Israeli nor American interests.
It should be noted that the main concern within Israel is that freedom of action in Lebanon could be significantly restricted by Washington if the Iran deal includes complete cessation of Israeli military activity throughout Lebanon, not just Beirut, as Tehran insists.
Ghalibaf: US timelines will not be honored
Tehran is trying to keep the Lebanon issue prominent while signaling it will not honor US timelines regarding the signing schedule. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to urgently meet with Trump, according to an Israeli source.
The same source, cited by CNN, said Netanyahu is trying to arrange the meeting after Trump’s return from the G7 summit in France (which starts Monday and concludes Wednesday) next weekend or immediately after.
In a late Sunday post, Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf refers to Lebanon and emphasizes that “(the Israelis) will never succeed in bringing down any of the pillars of resistance, as long as they remain united and unwavering.”
He adds that “the heroic struggles of Lebanon’s brave fighters and the strong diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our beloved Lebanon and will bring down the absurd machinations of the warmongering Israeli regime – no matter how we try to present it differently.”
Israeli strikes target Hezbollah positions – Dahiya stronghold hit
The Israeli military attacked Hezbollah targets today Sunday in Beirut’s southern suburbs, in the organization’s stronghold known as Dahiya, according to a joint statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. This is Israel’s response to Hezbollah fire against Israeli areas, according to the same statement. In a post on X, Israel’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, writes that Ali Mousa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah commander, was killed in the Beirut attack.
According to the ambassador, Daqduq was personally responsible for a 2007 terrorist attack against American forces, while coordinating Hezbollah’s plan to invade and occupy northern Israel. He also wrote that he was imprisoned by the US and a $5 million bounty was offered for his capture.
Earlier, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Israel’s attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs, which occurred earlier today Sunday, showed that the US either lacks the will to fulfill their commitments or the ability to do so. In a post on X he noted that continuing the current course would be impossible if commitments cannot be honored.
In a parallel development, late Sunday it became known from the Tasnim agency that flights to and from western Iran’s airports are suspended until further notice “due to current conditions.” Is this also an indication that Iran will strike Israel with ballistic missiles? No one can rule it out at this point.
Iran on Beirut strikes: “Flagrant violation of Lebanon’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs, characterizing it as a “terrorist action” and warning that Washington bears responsibility for the consequences. In its statement, it spoke of a “flagrant violation of Lebanon’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity” and a “serious violation of the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States.”
The ministry argued that Iran holds the US directly responsible for Israel’s actions and repeated ceasefire violations. “The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes its determination to take all necessary measures to exercise its inherent right to self-defense,” the statement reads.
Additionally, it states that “the United States and the Zionist regime will bear responsibility for the dangerous consequences caused by the Zionist regime’s inflammatory policy on regional peace and security.”
