Trump: Iran deal can survive if fighting in Lebanon continues

President Trump said on Tuesday that the deal between the U.S. and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz can survive even if Israel’s attacks in Lebanon continue.

“It can,” Trump said, speaking from the G7 in Évian-les-Bains, France, when asked if the Iran deal can survive if Israel attacks Lebanon, referring to the conflict as “the minor war.”

“Iran‘s a big one, but we have that little pinprick out there that constantly rears its head. And that‘s Hezbollah,” he continued.

“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, because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses, and they‘re not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you,” he continued.

Trump’s comments come as tension rises between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the country’s attacks in Lebanon.

Israel conducted an airstrike in a suburb of Beirut on Sunday as Trump announced a deal with Iran would be signed on Sunday. The Israeli military said the strike was in response to the militant group firing three projectiles into northern Israel.

“I was so pissed off. I let him know. He has no f‑‑‑ing judgment. I let him know that,” Trump told Axios of his conversation with Netanyahu after the flareup.

Netanyahu has insisted on targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon amid peace talks between Washington and Tehran.

The prime minister said on Monday that Israel will keep troops in Lebanon despite the preliminary deal between the U.S. and Iran, saying “the struggle has not ended.”

“I want to make clear: We will remain in the security zones as long as required in order to defend our country,” the prime minister said.

Trump aired his frustrations with Netanyahu on Tuesday, suggesting Israel would not exist if it were not for him.

“Without the US, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did. I have had a great relationship with Bibi. Now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon,” Trump said.

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