US President Donald Trump reportedly berated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tense phone call over Israel’s escalating military operations in Lebanon, Axios reported, citing two US officials and another source familiar with the conversation.
Monday’s call came amid growing concern in Washington that Israel’s actions could derail ongoing US negotiations with Iran.
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According to Axios, Trump criticized Netanyahu for threatening strikes on Beirut, accusing him of escalating the conflict beyond what Washington considered necessary.
One US official said Trump warned that attacking the Lebanese capital would further isolate Israel internationally.
“You’re f**king crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your **s. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this,” a US official summarized Trump’s remarks, according to Axios.
Another source briefed on the call said Trump was “pissed” and at one point shouted: “What the f**k are you doing?”
Trump reportedly blocked planned Beirut strike
According to Axios, Trump acknowledged that Hezbollah had continued firing at Israel and affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself. However, he reportedly believed Netanyahu’s response was disproportionate and risked expanding the conflict.
The report said Trump was particularly concerned about civilian casualties in Lebanon and objected to Israeli strikes that destroyed buildings to target individual Hezbollah commanders.
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Following the call, Israel dropped plans for strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut, an Israeli official told Axios.
However, Netanyahu publicly maintained a tougher stance.
In a statement released after the conversation, Netanyahu said he had informed Trump that Israel would continue operations in southern Lebanon and would strike Beirut if Hezbollah attacks persisted.
“Our position remains the same,” Netanyahu said.
Iran talks at stake
Axios reported that Trump’s anger was driven in part by concerns that Israel’s actions could undermine negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Sources told the outlet that a memorandum currently being negotiated between the US and Iran includes provisions aimed at ending the fighting in Lebanon.
Following the call, Trump posted on Truth Social that negotiations with Iran were continuing “at a rapid pace.”
One US official told Axios that despite Netanyahu’s public statements, Trump had effectively forced him to back down during the conversation.
“Bibi said, ‘OK, OK, just make sure everything is taken care of,’” the official claimed, referring to the Israeli leader using his nickname.
Netanyahu’s office did not respond to Axios’s request for comment.
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