Trump calls Netanyahu crazy over Lebanon escalation amid Iran tensions

US president angrily criticises Netanyahu during conversation, accusing him of escalating situation in Lebanon and using strong language, including calling him “crazy” and questioning Israel’s conduct

WASHINGTON/BEIRUT: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News- June 2^nd, 2026) US President Donald Trump reportedly confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a tense phone call over Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon, as Washington sought to prevent the conflict from derailing sensitive negotiations with Iran.

A report by Axios citing US officials and sources familiar with the call revealed that Trump angrily criticised Netanyahu during the conversation, accusing him of escalating the situation in Lebanon and using strong language, including calling him “crazy” and questioning Israel’s conduct.

The call came amid growing regional tensions after Iran warned that a ceasefire framework it is discussing with Washington applies to all fronts, including Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said any violation of the ceasefire in one theatre would be considered a breach across all fronts, warning that Tehran could withdraw from negotiations if Israeli operations in Lebanon continued.

Following the call, Trump posted on Truth Social describing the discussion with Netanyahu as “very productive” and claimed that there would be “no troops going to Beirut,” adding that any forces already en route had been turned back.

Trump further asserted that he had engaged with Hezbollah through intermediaries and claimed the group had agreed to halt attacks on Israel, while Israel had also agreed to stop firing. However, Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States, and no US administration has publicly confirmed direct or indirect negotiations with the group.

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Israeli and Lebanese officials offered differing accounts of backchannel communications, with some reports suggesting limited understandings on reducing attacks in exchange for de-escalation around Beirut and its suburbs.

Despite Trump’s statements, Netanyahu maintained that Israel’s military operations would continue.

In a post on X, he said Israel would strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut if attacks from the group persisted, while stressing that operations in southern Lebanon would proceed as planned.

Axios further reported that Trump warned Netanyahu that strikes on Beirut could further isolate Israel internationally and expressed concern over civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction in Lebanon. One US official described Trump as furious during the call, alleging he accused Netanyahu of worsening Israel’s global standing and referenced past political support during Netanyahu’s corruption trial.

The reports also suggested internal disagreement within the US administration over the scale of Israel’s response, with concerns raised about escalating civilian harm.

Meanwhile, Iran’s state-linked media indicated that Tehran had paused indirect discussions with mediators in protest against Israel’s actions in Lebanon and warned of broader regional consequences if “red lines” were crossed.