Trump Slams Netanyahu for Almost Botching Iran Nuclear Deal, Vows to Sign Anyway

June 15 — During an appearance on Israel’s Channel 12, former U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over an Israeli attack on Beirut that came just an hour before the planned signing of a U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, calling the strike “reckless” and telling the interviewer it left him “very angry.” Trump recalled getting word of the Beirut attack right before the deal was set to be signed, saying, “I couldn’t believe something like that would happen — it’s terrible.” He noted that earlier rocket fire from Hezbollah had landed in uninhabited areas with no casualties, but Netanyahu still pushed through what Trump called Israel’s “damn attack” targeting Beirut. While the strike delayed the signing ceremony, Trump insisted the deal was still favorable to Israel. He argued the agreement would prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons, allow inspections of suspicious sites with only 24 hours’ advance notice, and eliminate Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The deal was originally scheduled to be signed that morning but was postponed due to the Israeli attack, with Trump adding he still expected it to go through in the next several hours.