WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump reportedly launched an angry and profanity-laced verbal attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tense phone call, blaming Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon for undermining regional diplomacy and isolating Israel internationally.
According to US officials cited by Axios, the confrontation occurred after Iran warned that it could suspend negotiations with Washington in response to Israeli military actions in Lebanon. The threat prompted Trump to personally intervene and push for immediate de-escalation.
During the call, Trump accused Netanyahu of reacting disproportionately to attacks by Hezbollah, expressing alarm over reports that Israeli airstrikes were destroying entire residential buildings to eliminate individual commanders.
One source familiar with the exchange said Trump raised his voice and bluntly asked Netanyahu: “What the f*** are you doing?”
‘Everybody hates Israel because of this’
US officials said Trump warned that continued escalation would deepen Israel’s diplomatic isolation and intensify global criticism. One official summarized Trump’s remarks as telling Netanyahu that Israel’s actions were turning the international community against it.
“Everybody hates Israel because of this,” Trump was quoted as saying, according to multiple sources.
Trump reportedly also accused Netanyahu of being ungrateful, reminding him of past political support during the Israeli leader’s ongoing corruption trial. According to a Washington-based official, Trump told Netanyahu that without US backing, he would have faced severe legal consequences.
Iran warning triggered intervention
The phone call followed reports that Iran had halted indirect peace negotiations with the United States. Iranian media outlets said Tehran suspended message exchanges through intermediaries in response to Israeli operations in Lebanon and Gaza.
Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, reported that Iran’s negotiating team had paused communications. Meanwhile, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters warned that any Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs would trigger retaliation against northern Israel.
Planned Beirut strikes canceled
Following Trump’s intervention, Israel reportedly canceled planned military strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut. According to Axios, Trump warned Netanyahu that bombing the Lebanese capital would severely damage Israel’s international standing.
A US official described the call as one of the most aggressive exchanges between the two leaders since the start of Trump’s second presidential term, saying Trump had effectively “steamrolled” Netanyahu.
An Israeli official later confirmed that strikes on Beirut were no longer planned.
Trump announces de-escalation
After the call, Trump announced on Truth Social that Israeli troops advancing toward Beirut had been ordered to turn back.
“There will be no troops going to Beirut,” Trump wrote, claiming he had also spoken through intermediaries with Hezbollah representatives and secured commitments from both sides to halt attacks.
Trump said Hezbollah agreed to stop firing at Israel and that Israel would refrain from further strikes, though the claims could not be independently verified.
Israel maintains official stance
Despite Trump’s public statements, Netanyahu later said Israel’s position remained unchanged. Prior to the call, Israeli leadership had reportedly authorized retaliatory strikes in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district over alleged Hezbollah ceasefire violations.
However, following US pressure, Israeli officials acknowledged that plans to strike Beirut had been shelved.
Trump shifts tone on Iran talks
Earlier in the day, Trump had downplayed Iran’s suspension of talks, saying he “didn’t care” if negotiations collapsed. After the call with Netanyahu, his tone shifted.
Trump later said talks with Iran were continuing at a “rapid pace” and expressed confidence that a broader ceasefire deal could be reached within days, including reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
