US President Donald Trump has said that the ongoing Israel Iran peace talks will not be derailed by fresh military strikes between Israel and Iran, insisting that progress toward a deal is still within reach.
Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not control the direction of US policy, adding, “I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn’t call the shots.”
His remarks came after Israel carried out strikes in the Beirut area, while Iran launched missiles toward Israeli targets in retaliation, further escalating tensions across the region. Despite the violence, Trump maintained that diplomatic efforts with Iran were still progressing.
The exchange of attacks raised fears of wider regional conflict, involving Israel and allied forces. Iran said its missiles targeted an Israeli air base, while the Israeli military claimed its defence systems intercepted incoming projectiles.
At the same time, tensions in Lebanon also intensified as Israel continued strikes against positions linked to Hezbollah, which remains a key factor in the broader conflict dynamics.
The escalation also affected global markets, with oil prices rising more than 2% and Brent crude moving back above $95 a barrel amid fears of supply disruption.
Trump also spoke by phone with Netanyahu for under 30 minutes, urging restraint and warning against further strikes as negotiations continue. However, neither side publicly confirmed detailed outcomes of the call.
Despite continued fighting in multiple fronts, Trump insisted the Israel Iran peace talks remain active and that a wider agreement is still possible.