President Trump erupted at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday, calling him “fucking crazy” and accusing him of ingratitude, according to two U.S. officials and a third source briefed on the call. Trump also vetoed Israel’s plan to bomb the Lebanese capital, warning that such a strike would further isolate Israel globally. The outburst came hours after Iran threatened to abandon nuclear negotiations with the U.S. over Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
Behind the scenes, one U.S. official quoted Trump as saying: “You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now.” A second source described Trump as “pissed,” yelling at Netanyahu: “What the fuck are you doing?” The exchange highlights deepening friction between the two allies as the broader U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and Hezbollah intensifies.
Despite Trump’s anger, Netanyahu’s forces continued operating in southern Lebanon, and the Israeli military intercepted missiles launched from Lebanon on Tuesday. The Guardian reported that Trump later claimed Hezbollah and Israel had agreed to “stop all shooting,” but the group’s political office dismissed the statement, insisting no formal deal existed.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned they would open “new fronts” and keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, stating that “crossing the red lines in Lebanon and Gaza means direct war.” Iran’s foreign minister declared that the Iran-U.S. ceasefire is “unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts,” calling any violation in Lebanon a breach of the entire agreement.
The diplomatic rupture leaves the region on edge. If Trump’s pressure fails to de-escalate, the risk of a broader Iran-Israel confrontation—potentially involving U.S. forces—remains high. Critics argue the leaked call reveals an impulsive White House strategy that undermines deterrence.