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Published : 03 Jun 2026, 09:16 AM
US President Donald Trump has lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's military escalation in Lebanon, Axios reports.
The American news outlet reported on Monday that Trump used harsh language during a phone call with Netanyahu, accusing him of worsening the situation and warning against carrying out a threatened strike on Beirut.
Citing two US officials and another source briefed on the call, it said Trump believed an attack on the Lebanese capital would further isolate Israel internationally.
The report said Trump called Netanyahu "crazy" and accused him of ingratitude.
According to two of the sources, Trump also referred to his support for Netanyahu during the Israeli leader's corruption trial.
One US official quoted Trump as telling Netanyahu, "You're fucking 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 briefed on the conversation said Trump was furious and at one point shouted, "What the fuck are you doing?"
The broadcaster said Trump acknowledged Israel's need to defend itself against Hezbollah attacks but believed Netanyahu had responded in a disproportionate manner in recent days.
According to Axios, Trump was also concerned by civilian casualties in Lebanon and objected to Israeli operations that reportedly involved destroying buildings to target individual Hezbollah commanders.
Earlier on Monday, Iran threatened to walk away from negotiations with the United States over Israel's actions in Lebanon, a development that reportedly added to Trump's frustration.
An Israeli official told Axios that Israel no longer plans to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut.
The report said Trump and Netanyahu have had several difficult conversations in the past, although they have continued to coordinate closely on Iran and other regional issues.
One official described the latest exchange as among the “most difficult” calls between the two leaders since Trump returned to office.
Following the call, Trump wrote on Truth Social that talks with Iran were continuing "at a rapid pace".
Netanyahu later said he had informed Trump that Israel would strike targets in Beirut if Hezbollah attacks continued, while maintaining military operations in southern Lebanon.
"Our position remains the same," Netanyahu said in a statement.
Axios also reported that a draft memorandum being negotiated between the US and Iran includes provisions aimed at ending the fighting in Lebanon.
