US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he angrily confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call this week, expressing frustration over the regime’s continued attacks on Lebanon.
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump said he was “a little bit perturbed” by Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon, which have complicated efforts to secure a broader agreement with Iran aimed at ending regional tensions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
When asked whether he called Netanyahu “f*** crazy” during the Monday phone call, Trump replied, “I did.” He added, “I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon.”
Trump, however, claimed that he and Netanyahu have “worked very well together” in the past. The US president’s strong language towards Netanyahu was first reported by Axios, where Trump reportedly told Netanyahu he would “be in prison if it weren’t for me” and shouted that “everybody hates you now” and “everybody hates Israel because of this.”
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The angry phone call came after Tehran warned that any renewed Israeli offensive in Beirut would trigger a strong response from Iranian armed forces and derail the shaky ceasefire with Washington. This happened as Netanyahu ordered fresh bombing on the southern Dahiya area of Beirut.
Despite the tensions, Washington continues indirect talks with Iran over a potential agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address regional disputes. Trump claimed negotiations were “rapidly evolving” and expressed hope for a quick deal. He also said he believes the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, plays a central role in the decisions and indicated he would like to meet him in the future.
Tehran has firmly maintained that any ceasefire in Lebanon is inseparable from a final agreement to end the illegal US-Israeli war of aggression launched against Iran in late February.
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