US President Donald Trump sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tense phone call on Monday over Israel’s continued strikes in Lebanon, according to Axios, which cited US officials and a source briefed on the conversation.
The call came at a time when tensions in the region remain high, with Iran warning that Israel’s military actions in Lebanon could derail its negotiations with Washington.
Trump’s reported remarks
During the exchange, Trump reportedly lashed out at Netanyahu and questioned Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon.
Summarising Trump’s comments, a US official told Axios, "You're f**king crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your a*s. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this."
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A second source quoted by the report said Trump also shouted, "What the f**k are you doing?"
According to Axios, Trump warned Netanyahu that continued threats to strike Beirut would further isolate Israel internationally. US officials quoted in the report said Trump was particularly angered by civilian casualties in Lebanon and Israeli strikes on buildings linked to Hezbollah figures.
The report added that Israel is no longer planning strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut.
"I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut... I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop." - President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇠pic.twitter.com/DJhysrmVnO
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 1, 2026
Iran warns of consequences
Earlier on Monday, Iran signalled that it could suspend talks with the United States if Israel’s attacks in Lebanon continued.
Iranian state media reported that Tehran considers a ceasefire in Lebanon a key condition for any agreement with Washington.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator with the US, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also spoke with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri regarding the conflict.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf wrote, “In my conversation with my brother, Mr Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, I emphasised that if the crimes of the Zionist regime in Lebanon continue, we will not only halt the dialogue process but also stand firmly against them.”
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He added, “Long live the resistance! Long live the defence of the motherland! Long live the brotherhood of the Iranian and Lebanese peoples!”
بØديثي Ù…Ø Ø£Ø®ÙŠ دولة الرØيس Ùبيه برّي، Ø£Ùّدت Ø¥Ùّه Ø¥Øا استمرّ الØدوا٠الإسراØيلي Øلى لبÙاÙØŒ مش بس Ø±Ø Ùوقّ٠مسار التÙاوض، بل Ø±Ø ÙÙو٠بمواØهة مباشرة Ù…Ø Ø§Ù„Øدو.
— Ù…Øمدباقر قالیبا٠| MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) June 1, 2026
Øاشت المقاومة.
Øاش الدÙØ§Ø Ø٠الأرض.
ÙˆØاشت الأخوّة بي٠الشØبي٠اللبÙاÙÙŠ والإیراÙÙŠ.
Netanyahu’s response and ceasefire move
Following the call, Netanyahu said Israel would continue operations in southern Lebanon while maintaining pressure on Hezbollah.
“Our position remains the same,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel would strike Beirut if Hezbollah attacks continued.
However, one US official quoted by Axios claimed Trump had effectively “steamrolled” Netanyahu during the conversation, saying, "Bibi said, 'OK, OK, just make sure everything is taken care of.'"
Later on Monday, Lebanon announced a partial ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel aimed at reducing hostilities. Under the arrangement, Israel would avoid strikes on Beirut and Hezbollah would halt attacks on Israel.
