President Donald Trump has confirmed that he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “crazy” during an expletive-filled phone conversation, saying he was frustrated by Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon while the United States seeks to negotiate an end to hostilities involving Iran.
Trump said he was “a little bit perturbed” by the ongoing fighting, which he believes has complicated efforts to secure a broader agreement linked to the conflict with Iran.
Despite the sharp exchange, Trump said his relationship with Netanyahu remains strong, describing their cooperation as effective and emphasizing that both leaders are navigating wartime challenges.
The remarks emerged as diplomatic efforts continue to transform a fragile ceasefire into a more durable arrangement involving both Iran and Lebanon.
According to Trump, the continued fighting in Lebanon has hindered progress in negotiations, with Iran maintaining that any agreement to end the war must also address hostilities involving Hezbollah.
Netanyahu responded by saying that he and Trump share common objectives despite occasional disagreements over tactics.
He said the two leaders “have common goals” and “agree on the main things.”
A U.S.-mediated agreement announced earlier this week led Israel to step back from planned strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs while Hezbollah halted cross-border attacks.
However, violence has continued despite the arrangement.
Israeli strikes on Wednesday targeted areas in southern Lebanon and a vehicle south of Beirut, while Israel reported intercepting what it described as a hostile aircraft originating from Lebanon.
The latest developments have cast further doubt on prospects for a lasting ceasefire.
Lebanon is seeking a broader nationwide truce, while Israel has continued to press for the disarmament of Hezbollah before ending military operations and withdrawing forces from parts of southern Lebanon.
Civilian casualties have also continued to mount.
In southern Lebanon, six members of the Al-Abdallah family were killed when rockets struck their home in Marwanieyh shortly after they returned to the village.
A 13-year-old family member was the sole survivor.
Meanwhile, regional tensions widened after Iranian drones struck Kuwait’s main airport, briefly disrupting operations and underscoring the continuing risks posed by the conflict across the wider Middle East.