Trump proposes Syria replace Israel in fighting Hezbollah, says he spoke with Syrian leader

Jun 15, 2026

President Trump proposed that Syria replace Israel in fighting Hezbollah, stating he spoke with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa about the plan. Citing frustration with Israel's prolonged and deadly campaign in Lebanon, which he says jeopardizes a new US-Iran peace deal, Trump praised al-Sharaa as more effective. The suggestion was met with criticism, with Senator Richard Blumenthal calling it "absurd."

Syria replacing Israel against Hezbollah

▪Syria's new government under President al-Sharaa is not part of the regional axis that previously linked Damascus, Tehran, and Hezbollah under Bashar al-Assad.
▪US Senator Richard Blumenthal called President Donald Trump's idea for Syria to deal with Hezbollah "absolutely absurd."
▪President Donald Trump praised Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander, for unifying Syria and noted al-Sharaa "does not like" Hezbollah.
▪President Donald Trump suggested that Syria should replace Israel in fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
▪On June 17, 2026, President Donald Trump confirmed he had spoken with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa about taking on Hezbollah.
▪Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa denied reports of Syrian intervention in Lebanon, calling the rumors "completely unfounded."

Trump criticism of Israeli tactics

▪President Donald Trump criticized Israel for indiscriminately knocking down apartment buildings, stating "they're not all Hezbollah" inside.
▪President Donald Trump stated that Israel's campaign against Hezbollah throws a "negative light" on the US peace deal with Iran and nearly derailed negotiations.
▪As of June 11, 2026, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed 3,711 people and wounded 11,483, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
▪President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, stating it has gone on for too long and killed too many people.

US-Iran nuclear deal signing

▪The formal signing ceremony for the US-Iran deal is scheduled for June 19, 2026, at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland.
▪The US-Iran memorandum of understanding extends their ceasefire by 60 days for negotiations on a long-term resolution to Iran's nuclear program.
▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to the US-Iran framework by saying he and President Donald Trump "do not always see eye to eye."
▪Iran has warned that any continued Israeli presence or attacks in Lebanon would constitute a violation of its agreement with the United States.
▪The US and Iran announced an interim peace deal to end a 15-week war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian nuclear weapon consequences

▪President Donald Trump claimed that before US intervention, Iran was "two weeks away from having a nuclear weapon" which it would have used against Israel.
▪President Donald Trump threatened "ultimate consequences" if Iran acquires a nuclear weapon in defiance of the US-Iran agreement.
▪The US-Iran agreement prevents Iran from developing, purchasing, or otherwise acquiring a nuclear weapon.

US support for Israel's survival

▪President Donald Trump stated, "Without me, there’d be no Israel," arguing no other president was willing to do what he did in tackling Iran.
▪President Donald Trump claimed that Israel would have been "blown off the face of the earth" if not for him and the United States.