President Donald Trump departed for the NATO summit in the Netherlands on Tuesday, but not before expressing his strong disapproval of both Iran and Israel for actions that he viewed as undermining his peace efforts in the region. In remarks to reporters before his departure from the White House, Trump stated, “These guys [have] got to calm down. Ridiculous.”

He elaborated on his concerns, stating, “I didn’t like plenty of things I saw yesterday. I didn’t like the fact that Israel unloaded right after we made the deal. They didn’t have to unload, and I didn’t like the fact that the retaliation was very strong.” This refers to actions taken following the announcement of a cease-fire between Iran and Israel, an agreement Trump himself had previously declared to be officially in effect.

The President’s pointed criticism highlights the precarious nature of the peace deal and raises questions about its long-term viability in the face of continuing tensions between the two nations. His comments underscore the significant challenges in mediating peace in the Middle East even with direct US involvement.