'You're f*****g crazy': Donald Trump slams Benjamin Netanyahu in heated call over Lebanon escalation

The relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached a boiling point, as the former yelled at the latter in an expletive-laden call, according to an Axios report. Trump reportedly slammed Netanyahu for the Israeli escalation in Lebanon and also for threatening to bomb Beirut. Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi claimed that attacking Lebanon was a violation of the ceasefire. "The United States and Israel bear responsibility for the consequences of any breach of the truce," he added.

As per the Axios report, Trump went off the rails against the Israeli Prime Minister, accusing him of ingratitude and calling him "crazy." The U.S. President also claimed that he was the reason Netanyahu was not in prison. "You're f*****g crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your a**. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this," he said, as per the sources.

While the two leaders have had difficult calls in the past, one official, quoted by Axios, claimed that it was one of their worst calls since Trump returned to office for his second term. However, many have doubted the authenticity of the report due to subsequent developments. Moments after the reported call, Netanyahu took to X and said that Israel would keep attacking "terror targets" in the Lebanese capital. "This stance of ours remains unchanged. In parallel, the IDF will continue to operate as planned in southern Lebanon," the post added.

According to the Washington Post, Iran suspended talks with Washington on Monday as Israel ramped up its attacks on Lebanon. However, after having the tough call with Trump, the Netanyahu government has held off on striking Beirut, something which it had said was imminent.

However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would strike Dahiyeh, a Beirut suburb influenced by Hezbollah. "There will no longer be a situation where there is quiet in Beirut while Israeli communities are under attack," he said. "The Americans validated the principle and notified the Lebanese government and all relevant parties: Israeli communities versus Beirut."

On Monday, Trump also posted that talks with Iran were advancing at a "rapid pace," but recent developments do not add up to the claim. He also posted about having conversations with Netanyahu, urging him not to attack Beirut, and with Hezbollah to stop attacking Israeli targets. "That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel," the post read.