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
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