Following a heated phone call on Monday, June 1, Donald Trump reportedly scolded Benjamin Netanyahu over strikes in Beirut, questioning the Israeli Prime Minister’s judgment as regional tensions reached a breaking point.
A volatile diplomatic clash
According to a report by Axios, the phone call between Trump and Netanyahu turned hostile after the Israeli Prime Minister ordered an attack on a southern Beirut suburb, a known Hezbollah stronghold. During the conversation, Trump reportedly shouted at Netanyahu, questioning the strategic sense of the bombardment and warning that such actions would lead to Israel’s further international isolation.
Tehran’s ultimatum and regional fallout
Iran responded to the escalation by declaring it would not tolerate increased tension in Lebanon. Tehran threatened to end negotiations with the United States and hinted at possible retaliatory attacks against northern Israel, heightening the stakes of the diplomatic standoff.
The corruption trial shadow
Axios described the interaction as one of the most intense to date. Trump drew a direct link between the military actions and Netanyahu’s ongoing legal troubles, telling the Prime Minister, “You are a f***ing crazy guy. You would be in prison if not for me. I’m saving your skin. Now everyone hates you.” Netanyahu has been facing trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust since 2020.
Ceasefire claims and conflicting narratives
Following the call, Trump claimed on Truth Social that he had secured a truce between Israel and Hezbollah, stating that no troops would be sent to Beirut. While an Israeli official confirmed that Israel currently has no plans to hit targets in Beirut, Netanyahu issued a statement emphasizing that Israel’s position remains unchanged, asserting that attacks would resume if Hezbollah continues its aggression.
