President Donald Trump's frustration boiled over on Tuesday morning as he used explicit language to criticize both Israel and Iran for violating the ceasefire agreement he had brokered just hours earlier.
According to the Daily Mail, the president's outburst came before boarding Marine One en route to the NATO Summit.
The president did not mince words when expressing his disappointment, stating that the two nations "don't know what the f*** they're doing" after both sides continued military operations despite agreeing to halt hostilities. Trump had announced the ceasefire deal Monday evening following a weekend of heightened tensions that included U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The road to the failed ceasefire began when Trump ordered strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. Iran retaliated by targeting America's largest Middle East military base near Doha, Qatar, though Trump initially chose not to respond militarily to that action. Instead, he worked to broker what he hoped would be a 24-hour ceasefire agreement between the two nations.
Trump used his Truth Social platform to announce the deal Monday evening, congratulating both sides and urging them to remain "peaceful and respectful." The ceasefire was meant to take effect in stages, with Iran initiating the pause followed by Israel, ultimately leading to what Trump dubbed "THE 12 DAY WAR."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement confirming that Israel had conducted "powerful strikes in the heart of Tehran" just before the ceasefire was to begin. This action resulted in significant Iranian casualties among security forces and militia members.
Israeli forces launched additional attacks targeting radar installations near Tehran, even after the ceasefire was supposed to take effect. Iran responded by firing multiple missiles at Israel, resulting in four Israeli civilian casualties. The back-and-forth continued despite Trump's efforts to maintain the peace agreement.
Trump reportedly called Netanyahu from Air Force One, successfully convincing him to recall Israeli aircraft and cease further military action. The Israeli Prime Minister's statement acknowledged Trump's role in helping achieve Israel's military objectives while also expressing confidence in the ceasefire's stability.
The situation highlighted the complex dynamics between Trump and Netanyahu, with the president openly expressing his disappointment in Israel's actions. Trump emphasized the need for Israel to "calm down," particularly regarding their response to what he characterized as a possibly mistaken rocket launch.
Trump's unusually frank language on the South Lawn reflected his growing frustration with both nations' inability to maintain the negotiated peace. He specifically criticized Israel's decision to launch massive strikes just as the ceasefire agreement was being finalized.
The president's efforts to maintain diplomatic channels remained evident as he continued working to stabilize the situation from Air Force One. His conversation with Netanyahu appeared to have some success in preventing further escalation, though tensions remained high.
Trump expressed cautious optimism that the ceasefire would hold, suggesting both sides were "tired of it." He also emphasized his belief that Iran's nuclear ambitions had been curtailed, stating it was "the last thing on their mind right now."
The dramatic breakdown of the ceasefire agreement has left both regional and international stakeholders concerned about potential further escalation. Trump's explicit criticism of both nations marked a significant shift in diplomatic tone, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Despite the initial failure of the ceasefire, Trump's intervention appears to have prevented immediate further escalation. His direct communication with Netanyahu proved crucial in halting additional Israeli strikes, though the long-term stability of the region remains uncertain.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as the potential for renewed conflict remains high. Trump's unusually candid remarks about both allies and adversaries highlight the complex diplomatic challenges facing his administration in maintaining peace in the Middle East.
