US President Donald Trump lashes out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a heated phone call on Monday, 1st May, accusing him of worsening the conflict in Lebanon and putting key US diplomatic efforts with Iran at risk.
According to Axios, Trump was furious over Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon, including planned strikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in Beirut and expanded ground activity in the country’s south. The report, citing US officials and sources familiar with the conversation, said Trump called Netanyahu “f**king crazy” and launched into a profanity-filled attack.
US President #Donald Trump reportedly called Israeli Prime Minister #BenjaminNetanyahu "crazy" and accused him of ingratitude during a heated phone call over #Israel's escalation in #Lebanon.#Trump allegedly blocked a plan to strike #Beirut, citing concerns over civilian… pic.twitter.com/rtnDmV73EJ
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) June 2, 2026
One US official quoted Trump as saying: “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.” Another source said Trump also shouted, “What the f**k are you doing?”
Trump worried about Iran talks
The tense exchange came as Iran warned that continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon could derail ongoing negotiations with Washington. Tehran has repeatedly said that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a key condition for any broader understanding with the United States.
US officials said Trump believed Israel was responding too aggressively to Hezbollah attacks and feared the escalation could damage US-Iran diplomacy. He was also reportedly upset by civilian casualties in Lebanon and by large strikes carried out to target individual Hezbollah commanders.
Israel softens Beirut plans
Following the call, an Israeli official told Axios that Israel was no longer planning strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut. Trump later claimed he had a “very productive” conversation with Netanyahu and said Israeli troops moving toward Beirut had been turned back. He also stated that Hezbollah had agreed through intermediaries to stop attacks on Israel.
However, Netanyahu publicly signalled that Israel’s overall position had not changed. In a statement after the call, he said Israel would continue operations in southern Lebanon and warned that strikes on Beirut could still happen if Hezbollah kept attacking Israel.
“Our position remains the same,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel would act against threats from Lebanon.
Ceasefire move and Iran’s warning
Later on 1st June, Lebanon announced a partial ceasefire arrangement between Hezbollah and Israel. Under the understanding, Israel would avoid strikes on Beirut and Hezbollah-controlled suburbs, while Hezbollah would halt attacks on Israel. The agreement does not end the wider conflict.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator with the US, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, spoke with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and warned that Iran could suspend talks with Washington if Israeli operations in Lebanon continued.
The clash marked one of the sharpest reported exchanges between Trump and Netanyahu since Trump returned to office, highlighting growing tensions between the two leaders despite their close coordination on regional security and Iran-related issues.
