US President Donald Trump reportedly launched an angry and profanity-laden attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday, blaming Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon for jeopardizing regional diplomacy and fueling growing international criticism of Israel.
The tense conversation came after Iran threatened to suspend negotiations with the United States over Israel’s actions in Lebanon, prompting Trump to personally intervene and push for de-escalation.
According to Axios, Trump accused Netanyahu of reacting disproportionately to Hezbollah attacks and strongly objected to Israel’s military strategy in Lebanon.
One US official said Trump believed Israel was destroying entire buildings to eliminate individual Hezbollah commanders and was alarmed by threats of attacks on Beirut.
During the call, Trump reportedly shouted at Netanyahu, asking: “What the f*** are you doing?”
Also Read: Lebanon announces partial Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire amid continued attacks
Another source familiar with the discussion said the US president was “pissed” and deeply frustrated by Israel’s actions, particularly because they were threatening ongoing US diplomatic efforts with Iran.
‘Everybody hates Israel because of this’
According to multiple sources cited by Axios, Trump warned Netanyahu that further escalation would only deepen Israel’s international isolation.
One US official summarized Trump’s remarks by saying the president told Netanyahu: “Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
Trump also reportedly accused Netanyahu of being ungrateful and reminded him of his support during the Israeli leader’s ongoing corruption trial.
According to sources briefed on the conversation, Trump said Netanyahu would have been in prison if not for his assistance.
A Washington official summarized part of Trump’s comments as: “You’re f*ing crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your a.”
Iran’s warning triggered diplomatic intervention
The phone call came after Iran threatened to suspend indirect peace negotiations with the United States over Israeli military activity in Lebanon and Gaza.
Iranian media reported that Tehran had halted talks and message exchanges through mediators.
Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that Iran’s negotiating team had suspended communications.
Also Read: Trump says he spoke with Netanyahu, Hezbollah on Lebanon truce
Meanwhile, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the IRGC’s primary operational command center, warned that if Israel bombed Beirut’s southern suburbs, Iran would retaliate by targeting northern Israel.
The statement said people who did not want to be harmed should leave the area.
Planned Beirut strikes called off
Following Trump’s intervention, Israel reportedly canceled planned military strikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut. According to Axios, Trump warned Netanyahu that bombing the Lebanese capital would further isolate Israel globally.
A US official told the publication that Trump had effectively “steamrolled” Netanyahu during the call. The official quoted Netanyahu as responding: “OK, OK, just make sure everything is taken care of.”
Another American official described the exchange as one of the worst conversations between Trump and Netanyahu since the beginning of Trump’s second presidential term.
Trump announces de-escalation efforts
After the call, Trump announced on Truth Social that Israeli troops heading toward Beirut had been turned back.
“There will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back,” Trump wrote.
He also claimed that he had spoken through intermediaries with Hezbollah representatives and secured commitments from both sides to halt attacks. Trump stated that Hezbollah agreed to stop firing on Israel and that Israel would refrain from attacking the group.
“Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop — that Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel,” he wrote.
Israel’s position remains unchanged
Despite Trump’s announcement, Netanyahu later released a statement saying Israel’s position remained unchanged. Before the US intervention, Netanyahu had reportedly authorized attacks on targets in Dahiyeh, Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Also Read: Trump says US has not been informed of any Iran talks suspension
The strikes were intended as retaliation for what Israel described as Hezbollah ceasefire violations. However, after Trump’s phone call, an Israeli official told Axios that Israel was no longer planning to strike Hezbollah positions in Beirut.
Trump shifts tone on Iran talks
Earlier on Monday, Trump initially appeared dismissive of Iran’s decision to suspend negotiations. Speaking to NBC, he said: “I don’t care if they’re over, honestly. I really don’t care. I couldn’t care less.”
However, following his conversation with Netanyahu, the US president struck a more optimistic tone. Trump later posted on Truth Social that talks with Iran were continuing “at a rapid pace.”
In an interview with ABC News, he expressed confidence that a deal could be reached within a week to extend the ceasefire and reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The developments underscore the fragile nature of ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Iran has repeatedly linked progress in negotiations with an end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, while Washington continues to push for broader regional de-escalation.
With Iran threatening retaliation, Hezbollah involved in cross-border hostilities, and US-led diplomacy hanging in the balance, the latest Trump-Netanyahu confrontation highlights the growing pressure on all sides to prevent a wider regional conflict.
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