Trump says Iran deal near as Israel strikes Lebanon

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a deal to end the war with Iran could be within days, even as Israel renewed strikes in southern Lebanon and tensions tested a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

“We’re in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal,” Trump told reporters, describing talks aimed at ending the conflict the United States and Israel began in late February. He said an agreement would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ensure Iran could not obtain nuclear weapons in “any way, shape or form.”

Asked about the biggest obstacle in negotiations, Trump said he did not “think there are any sticking points.” He added, “I think we’re very close to having a very, very good, strong, powerful deal,” calling an agreement preferable to and “actually stronger than doing the bombing.”

Trump has repeatedly said Washington and Tehran are close to a deal since Israel and Iran agreed to an April ceasefire, but no agreement has been reached. His comments came after the two countries stepped back from their first direct exchange since that ceasefire. The latest round was triggered when Tehran launched strikes in response to an Israeli attack on Beirut over the weekend. Israel then responded, and the two sides exchanged attacks before pausing after Trump called for de-escalation.

Trump said he had a “very good conversation” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “He was hit, and he hit back, and I can’t blame him for that,” Trump said, adding that both sides “agreed, through me, to stop.” NBC News reported that Trump had earlier said he would urge Netanyahu not to retaliate against Iranian strikes, amid questions about his influence over Israel.

Al Jazeera, citing Axios, reported that Trump warned Netanyahu to be “careful” and said the Israeli leader could find himself “on your own very soon” if he ordered further strikes on Iran. The report said Trump urged Netanyahu not to retaliate after Iran signaled it would halt attacks.

Iranian state media said Tuesday that two members of an air defense unit were killed in Israeli attacks. The semiofficial Tasnim news agency said they died while “carrying out their mission to defend the country’s skies.” Iran’s announcement that it was halting attacks on Israel also warned that if “aggressions and hostile actions continue, including in southern Lebanon, far more severe and crushing measures than before will follow.”

Despite that warning, Israel issued fresh evacuation orders for Tyre, Lebanon’s fifth-largest city, including the port’s Christian Quarter, which had previously been spared much of the destruction in the area. The Israel Defense Forces said the evacuation order included the neighborhood because of a Hezbollah presence, but did not provide evidence.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Israeli forces launched a “heavy strike” on Tyre after the orders were issued. Images showed smoke rising over the city and cars packed with people appearing to leave. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said an Israeli raid on Tyre on Monday night killed five people and wounded eight, including four paramedics, near a Red Cross center.

Al Jazeera reported that Israel said it targeted the Mahshahr petrochemical complex in southwestern Iran on Monday. Iranian media reported no casualties and said authorities were still assessing damage and possible economic losses.

The U.S. military, meanwhile, said it used unmanned boats to rescue two soldiers whose helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz.

The ceasefire also faced pressure in Lebanon. Hezbollah said it carried out 16 operations against Israeli forces on Monday, targeting troop gatherings, military vehicles and equipment across southern Lebanon with drones, guided missiles, artillery and loitering munitions. Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, told Fox News that U.S.-Iran negotiations have “nothing to do with Lebanon” and said Israeli operations against Hezbollah are separate from the talks.