TEL AVIV — It was the kind of attack that could have derailed the highly anticipated truce between the United States and Iran: Israel’s military said Sunday evening it was preparing for an incoming salvo of Iranian missiles.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.But the attack never came and hours later, plans for the United States and Iran to sign a more permanent ceasefire deal in Geneva were being announced.The white-knuckle diplomatic whiplash demonstrated once again how Israel’s more focused fight against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon still has the power to disrupt the broader American efforts to resolve its regionwide, monthslong war with Iran.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to comment publicly on the deal and an Israeli official briefed on the matter told NBC News that he is seeking a meeting with President Donald Trump in order to discuss it.In recent days, Trump has publicly taken Netanyahu to task for continuing to strike Hezbollah, which Iran insists be protected from Israeli attacks under any ceasefire accord with the U.S.“He’s a very difficult guy,” Trump said of Netanyahu in an interview with The New York Times shortly after the agreement was announced.“To be honest with you, he should be very thankful to us for doing this.
Because if Iran had a nuclear weapon, Israel wouldn’t be around for two hours.”The scene of an Israeli strike on a southern suburb of Beirut on Sunday.Marwan Naamani / Zuma via ReutersIran’s threat to strike Israel Sunday came in response to Israeli airstrikes on a southern suburb of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.Israel said it was retaliating against Hezbollah attacks on the north of the country earlier that day.
It was the second three-way exchange of fire in a week: During the previous tit-for-tat attacks, Iran followed through on its threats and fired missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted and caused no casual...