U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at both Israel and Iran on Tuesday, accusing them of violating a fragile ceasefire he attempted to broker. His remarks, made in characteristic blunt style as he departed the White House for a NATO summit in The Hague, included a profane rebuke of both nations.
“I gotta get Israel to calm down now,” Trump told reporters, according to Reuters. “Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before.”
“We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing,” Trump added.
Despite his frustration with both Middle Eastern powers, Trump touted support from NATO allies.
On the economic front, Trump signalled a softening in Washington’s stance on sanctions against Iran. “China can now continue to purchase oil from Iran. Hopefully, they will be purchasing plenty from the U.S. also,” he posted.
Beijing remains Tehran’s largest oil buyer, accounting for more than 90% of its exports.
Meanwhile, in Israel, pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from both political opposition and hostage families. Following news of a ceasefire with Iran, opposition leader Yair Lapid called for a similar resolution in Gaza.
“It’s time to finish it there too. Bring back the hostages, end the war,” Lapid wrote on X.