President Donald Trump on Sunday criticized an Israeli strike on Beirut, saying the attack came at a sensitive moment as negotiations toward a potential peace agreement with Iran were nearing completion.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Israeli operation "should not have happened," particularly given what he described as significant progress toward a diplomatic deal that could bring stability to the region.

Trump Reaffirms Israel's Right to Defend Itself

While reaffirming Israel's right to defend itself against security threats, Trump characterized the incident that prompted Israel's response as minor, saying no one had been killed or injured and that it should not jeopardize ongoing peace efforts.

"We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down," Trump wrote.

Call for an End to Hostilities

The president called for an immediate halt to military actions by all parties, stating that there should be "no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon" and likewise no further attacks against Israel by other groups, including Hezbollah.

'Beginning of a Long and Beautiful Peace'

Trump suggested that the current moment could represent a turning point for the Middle East, describing the prospective agreement as "the beginning of a long and beautiful peace."

Heightened Regional Tensions

The comments come amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran, with regional and international actors seeking to prevent a broader escalation of conflict. Details of the proposed agreement referenced by Trump have not been publicly disclosed.