Trump blasted Netanyahu in phone call

President Donald Trump berated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Monday over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon and pressed him to halt a planned strike on Beirut, according to Axios. Axios, citing two U.S. officials and a third source briefed on the call, reported that Trump used profane language and accused Netanyahu of endangering U.S. diplomacy with Iran. The report said Iran had threatened earlier Monday to abandon negotiations with Washington over Israel’s actions in Lebanon. By Monday afternoon, Trump said Israel would not send troops to Beirut. ### What did Axios report Trump said to Netanyahu? Axios reported on June 1 that Trump called Netanyahu “crazy” during what it described as an expletive-laden call. According to Axios, Trump also accused Netanyahu of ingratitude and told him, “You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass.” Time, summarizing the Axios report, said one source briefed on the call described Trump as “pissed” and said he at one point yelled, “What the f-ck are you doing?” Axios said Trump also moved to stop Israel’s plan to strike Beirut. (axios.com) ### Why was Lebanon part of the argument? Iran’s threat to walk away from talks with Washington was central to the exchange, according to Axios. (axios.com) Axios reported that Trump intervened after Iran threatened to abandon negotiations with the United States over Israel’s actions in Lebanon. CNBC reported that Trump said Monday he was “going to ask” Netanyahu “what’s going on with Lebanon” after being asked about the possible collapse of negotiations with Iran. (time.com) Time reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israeli attacks on Lebanon would violate the April ceasefire the United States and Iran had agreed to, writing that the ceasefire applied “on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” (axios.com) ### What was the dispute over Beirut? Axios reported that Trump warned Netanyahu against a strike on Beirut and told him such an escalation would further isolate Israel. The report said Trump viewed Israel’s response as disproportionate even though he understood Israel said it was reacting to Hezbollah attacks. The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz had instructed the military to strike Hezbollah targets in the Lebanese capital before Trump announced a fresh truce effort. (cnbc.com) The paper said an Israeli source later said Jerusalem agreed to postpone planned strikes on Beirut. (time.com) ### What did Trump say publicly after the call? Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday that he had a “very productive call” with Netanyahu and that “there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back,” according to multiple reports quoting the post. He added, “He turned his Troops around. Thank you Bibi!” (timesofisrael.com) The Times of Israel reported that Israeli military sources disputed Trump’s claim that troops had been en route to Beirut. Axios separately reported that an Israeli official said the planned strikes on Beirut would not happen. ### How does this fit into Trump’s recent handling of Lebanon? Axios reported on April 29 that Trump had already told Netanyahu Israel should limit its military action in Lebanon to “surgical” steps and avoid a full resumption of war. (timesofisrael.com) Axios also reported in April that U.S. officials, including envoy Steve Witkoff, had pressed Netanyahu to “calm down” strikes in Lebanon and open negotiations. Monday’s call added a new public marker: Trump’s own post that no Israeli troops would go to Beirut, and Axios’s account that he personally blocked the move. Further public details are likely to come from Trump’s Truth Social posts, White House comments and any response from Netanyahu’s office. (axios.com 1) (axios.com 2)