• Israel conducted airstrikes in Beirut, targeting Hezbollah amidst US-Iran peace negotiations.
• Three people were killed and several injured in the strikes, leading to increased regional tensions.
• US President Trump urged restraint, stating that the attack jeopardizes ongoing diplomatic efforts.
• Iran's officials condemned the strikes, warning of potential repercussions.
• The deal between the US and Iran remains elusive, with postponements and uncertainty surrounding the signing date.

Israel launched airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday, targeting what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure in response to prior missile attacks from the group towards northern Israel. The strikes resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injured six others, exacerbating tensions in a region already on edge due to ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations for a peace deal. The Israeli military stated their operations were aimed at eliminating threats posed by the Iran-backed militia, reinforcing their commitment to national security, according to Indiatimes and BBC.

The airstrikes, criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump, came at a crucial moment when a peace agreement with Iran was reportedly on the verge of being finalized. Trump condemned the Israeli attacks as a detrimental factor in ongoing peace talks, emphasizing that the situation had escalated unnecessarily and urged restraint from both Israel and Hezbollah. "There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon," he stated, expressing concern that the delicate diplomatic efforts could be derailed at such a crucial juncture, according to Los Angeles Times and Indiatimes.

Iran's leadership reacted strongly to the strikes, indicating that they could undermine the trust necessary for any peace negotiations. Chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the attacks exposed the U.S.'s inability to fulfill its commitments and warned that "these crimes will not go unanswered." Such statements reflect the growing skepticism within Iran regarding the feasibility and security guarantees of any potential agreement, as articulated by various Iranian officials in response to the airstrikes, as per South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

Despite assertions by negotiators that a deal could be imminent, details remain hazy, and multiple delays have been reported. Speculations surrounding the timing of any signing have further complicated the landscape, as Iranian officials urged caution in signaling premature announcements regarding the accord's finalization. Tensions have escalated since clashes began after Iranian forces and their proxies retaliated against an Israeli attack, marking a significant turmoil in the region since efforts towards peace began anew, according to Los Angeles Times and Indiatimes.