US President Donald Trump orders critics to 'sit back and relax' as Israel escalates in Iran in a move that shatters ceasefires across Middle East amid Iran peace talks12:08, 01 Jun 2026Israeli forces have pushed deeper into Lebanon in the latest escalation than they have in the past 26 years as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued orders for attacks on Beirut, shattering a fragile ceasefire.The escalation, sparking fears of a humanitarian crisis, was worsened by the resumption of US missile attacks on the Iranian military and Tehran opening fire on neighbouring states. Beirut’s shaky ceasefire shattering has raised further questions over the possibility of peace in the Middle East as peace talks rely upon an end to war in Lebanon, Tehran insisted.Large-scale bombing campaigns on Hezbollah areas of south Beirut are expected in the coming days as thousands of refugees fled their homes, adding to an already desperate crisis.It is thought the main target of the Israeli attack is the Beirut suburb of Daraya, one of three Hezbollah strongholds across the country. More than 1.2 million Lebanese people are now registered as being refugees having fled fighting in the south with no sign of peace between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.Article continues belowIn its latest onslaught Hezbollah has opened fire with rockets on northern Israel, targeting the coastal city of Haifa. Israeli airstrikes overnight on southern Lebanon left six people dead, including a Syrian citizen in a village near the city of Nabatiyeh.The Israeli military said the Air Force had intercepted two projectiles launched from Lebanon toward Israeli territory. Iran’s foreign minister Esmaeil Baghaei declared: “We insist that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an essential condition for any deal aimed at ending the war.”Both war-zones are inextricably linked, according to Iran’s demands, as talks are ongoing to end war between the US and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Israeli troops have taken the symbolic Crusader Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, well beyond its previous demarcation limit of the Litani River.It has raised fears Israel intends to occupy large areas of southern Lebanon as Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Israel of a "scorched-earth policy and collective punishment" in the south of the country. President Donald Trump hit back at critics today telling them "sit back and relax" claiming it would "all work out well in the end.”He said Iran "really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the USA.” Air attacks between the US and Iran resumed over the weekends with American troops targeting Iranian missile teams.Kuwait was forced to ward of attacks from Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, sirens blaring and air defences forced to target incoming missile. The IRGC also claimed they had opened fire on a US air base, possibly a military centre situated inside Kuwait.Article continues belowThe US and Iran previously appeared to have made progress towards a preliminary agreement on ceasing the war. A reported deal is aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the US blockade as it whilst giving both time to discuss Iran's nuclear programme and US sanctions.Whilst Tehran has insisted its proxy forces of Hezbollah in Lebanon are included in a long-term peace deal, Israel wants it to be excluded.