Middle East Tension: Why I abused, cursed Netanyahu – Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed reports that he used strong language during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the conflict involving Lebanon.

In an interview published on Wednesday by the New York Post, Trump was asked whether he had angrily confronted Netanyahu during a phone conversation on Monday.

When asked if he told Netanyahu, “Are you crazy? What are you doing? I helped you stay out of jail,” Trump replied, “I did.”

Trump explained that he was upset about the continued fighting between Israel and Lebanon.

“I said, ‘Bibi, we have to stop this,’” Trump said, using Netanyahu’s nickname.

Despite the heated exchange, Trump said he still has a good relationship with Netanyahu.

“We’ve done well together. I like Bibi a lot,” he said.

According to reports by Axios and ABC News, Trump became angry over Israel’s threats to bomb Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. He reportedly feared that further attacks could damage ongoing efforts to reach a peace agreement and end the wider conflict in the Middle East.

The reports suggested that tensions between Trump and Netanyahu have increased since the war began after attacks involving Iran and the subsequent spread of fighting across the region.

However, some Israeli media outlets have disputed the account of the conversation.

A White House official referred reporters to Trump’s Truth Social posts on Monday, in which he thanked Netanyahu for agreeing to pull Israeli troops back from Beirut.

Reports also indicated that Iran had paused peace negotiations because of Israel’s military actions in Lebanon.