Trump: We will make great progress with Beirut.. Aoun: It is time for Lebanon to be stable

SadaNews - On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States will achieve "great progress" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, noting that "Lebanon has suffered for decades," while he affirmed that "Washington will assist Beirut in the upcoming phase".

Trump added, during his reception of Aoun at the White House in Washington, D.C.: "It has been a place and a country treated very poorly, and we will work to ensure it is treated as it should be, with the respect it deserves".

He continued: "We will work to solve many problems," expressing "great optimism" regarding Lebanon. He also pointed out that Washington "will help Lebanon a lot and will deal with it appropriately and respectfully".

The U.S. President indicated that "Washington will discuss the Lebanese army's control over villages from which Hezbollah withdraws," noting that "Israel is in the process of withdrawing from Lebanon and redeploying in other areas".

In response to a question about the Lebanese army's announcement that Israeli forces fired near its units, Trump said he would look into the matter. He also mentioned that "the United States will consider issues related to the pilot phase of the safe zone project in Lebanon".

For his part, the Lebanese President stated that "the time has come for Lebanon to be stable and secure," directing thanks to Trump for what he described as a "historic achievement" represented by the signing of the framework agreement.

Aoun expressed from the White House Lebanon's "efforts to end hostilities between Lebanon and Israel forever," pointing out that "the Lebanese army is doing a wonderful job and is a pillar of stability".

Aoun announced last week that he would ask Trump to "exert the necessary pressure on Israel" to implement the agreement, amid Beirut's concerns about the potential setbacks in its implementation.

Aoun's visit comes at a pivotal moment for Lebanon, after Israeli forces occupied an area extending over 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, following months of violent confrontations with Hezbollah.

On the Iranian issue, the U.S. President stated that the United States will target "any site Iran thinks it can use for nuclear purposes," considering that "Tehran will need between 20 to 25 years to rebuild".

Trump added that "no one can breach" the U.S. naval blockade imposed on Iran, considering that Washington significantly undermines Tehran's capabilities, and that some of its missiles "may have run out".

Regarding the possibility of talks with Tehran, Trump said he is "not interested" in meeting Iran until it is ready for it, adding: "Iran wants to meet with us, and we are not interested".

Trump indicated that American forces will target the Jordan Valley area soon, stating: "We will deliver very strong strikes".

He noted that the United States has been "lenient" with Iran until now, suggesting that Tehran is trying to influence the upcoming U.S. midterm elections through its actions in the Strait of Hormuz.