Trump calls Lebanon war 'minor', criticizes Netanyahu, says Iran will never get nuclear weapons

BEIRUT — At the G7 summit in France on Tuesday, Donald Trump said the emerging U.S.–Iran agreement guarantees that Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon, while also issuing criticism of Israeli policy in Lebanon and urging restraint from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said: “The only thing that really matters to me is Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and it says it loud and clear.” He added that any attempt by Iran to pursue nuclear arms would trigger a severe response, warning: “All hell will rain down” if Tehran intended to acquire such capability.

Trump also described the Lebanon war as “a minor one,” saying the broader Iran deal could still survive despite regional tensions. He said he had told Israel he “did not like” its recent strikes on Beirut, and appeared to criticise Israeli military operations, saying they had been fighting Hezbollah “too long and too many people are being killed.”

“You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody because there’s a lot of people in those apartment houses – and they’re not all Hezbollah,” he said.

Addressing Netanyahu directly, Trump said the Israeli leader “must now be more responsible with respect to Lebanon,” amid ongoing military operations and continued Israeli presence in areas of south Lebanon. He stressed that restraint was necessary to avoid further escalation.

He also said: “I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah because to be honest with you, I think they’d do a better job of doing it.”

Despite the criticism, Trump insisted his relationship with Netanyahu remained strong, saying: “No, we have a great relationship.”

He also commented on Iran’s leadership, describing it as “rational,” in contrast to earlier rhetoric from both Washington and Tehran during the conflict period.