US President Donald Trump strongly rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s escalating military actions in Lebanon during a tense phone call on Monday, according to Axios, citing two US officials and a third source briefed on the conversation.
Axios reports that Trump used profane language and accused Netanyahu of reckless behaviour and ingratitude, amid growing concern in Washington that Israel’s actions could derail sensitive US‑Iran negotiations.
According to two sources cited by Axios, Trump described Netanyahu as “crazy” during the call and warned that further escalation, including threats to strike Beirut, would deepen Israel’s international isolation. Trump also intervened to halt Israel’s plans to target the Lebanese capital, the report says.
One US official told Axios that Trump warned Netanyahu bombing Beirut would further isolate Israel globally. Two of the sources said Trump claimed he had helped keep Netanyahu out of prison, referring to his support during the Israeli leader’s corruption trial.
Frank and open discussion
Summarising Trump’s remarks, the US official told Axios: “You’re f***ing crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
A second source briefed on the call said Trump was “pissed” and at one point shouted at Netanyahu: “What the f*** are you doing?”
According to Axios, Trump acknowledged that Hezbollah had been firing at Israel and that Israel had the right to defend itself. However, he believed Netanyahu had been escalating the situation in a disproportionate manner in recent days.
The report notes that, alongside threats against Beirut, Israel has expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon. Another US official cited by Axios said Trump was particularly alarmed by the high number of civilian deaths in Lebanon and objected to Israeli strikes that destroyed entire buildings to eliminate single Hezbollah commanders.
Plans reportedly halted
Following the call, Israel no longer plans to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut, an Israeli official told Axios.
The US media outlet reports that while Trump and Netanyahu have had tense exchanges in the past, they have continued to coordinate closely on Iran and other regional issues. One official described the latest conversation as one of Trump’s worst calls with Netanyahu since returning to office.
Trump’s anger appeared to be driven by fears that Israel’s actions in Lebanon could undermine US‑Iran negotiations. After the call, Trump posted on Truth Social that talks with Iran were “continuing, at a rapid pace”.
Netanyahu later issued a statement saying he had told Trump that Israel would attack targets in Beirut if Hezbollah did not stop its attacks on Israel, while operations in southern Lebanon would continue. “Our position remains the same,” Netanyahu wrote.
However, a second US official told Axios that Trump had “steamrolled” Netanyahu during the call, adding: “Bibi said, ‘OK, OK, just make sure everything is taken care of.’”
Netanyahu’s office did not respond to a request for comment, according to Axios.
Axios also reports that the memorandum currently under negotiation between the US and Iran includes provisions calling for an end to the fighting in Lebanon, an issue that has previously been a source of tension between Trump and Netanyahu.
