WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump confirmed in a new interview that he sharply castigated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel's military campaign in Lebanon.
Axios first reported, citing unnamed sources, that Trump had berated Netanyahu in a June 1 phone call, claimed he'd helped keep the Israeli leader out of jail, and shouted expletives as he called for Israeli forces to restrain their campaign against the Lebanon-based designated terrorist group Hezbollah.
When asked during an interview with the New York Post whether he criticized Netanyahu as reported, Trump said, "I did, I wouldn't say [I was] angry."
"I was a little bit perturbed at him, constantly fighting with Lebanon. You know, at some point I said, 'Bibi, we've got to stop this,'" Trump added.
Iranian officials have repeatedly raised objections to the recent Israeli military actions against Hezbollah, which has historically been aligned with Tehran. Moves by the Netanyahu government to intensify pressure on the Lebanese faction have begun to complicate efforts to resolve the current armed standoff with Iran.
Following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on southern Israel, Hezbollah launched its own attacks on Israeli territory along the border with Lebanon. Israeli forces launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon in October 2024 and have maintained a presence there since.
After U.S. and Israeli forces launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28, Hezbollah renewed attacks on Israel.
The United States and Iran entered into a ceasefire on April 7, but that truce was shaken within days as Iranian leaders balked as Israeli operations against Hezbollah continued. The Trump administration subsequently brokered a parallel ceasefire between the Israeli and Lebanese governments, but Tehran has complained of continuing infractions.
Following his June 1 call with Trump, Netanyahu said Israel's stance "remains unchanged." He said Israel stood ready to strike targets in Beirut if Hezbollah launched further attacks on Israel's territory or citizenry. Netanyahu also said Israeli forces would continue planned ground operations in southern Lebanon.
Iranian officials have also raised objections to a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and maritime trade, which came into effect on April 13.
Tehran justified the attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain under the premise that those two Gulf states had allowed U.S. forces to use their territory to launch attacks on Iranian interests.