Washington: US President Donald Trump reportedly lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone conversation on Tuesday, amid growing concerns that Israel's military operations in Lebanon and Gaza are undermining diplomatic efforts in West Asia.
According to an Axios report citing US officials and another source familiar with the call, Trump was angered by Israel's intensified attacks in Lebanon despite an existing ceasefire arrangement. The US president reportedly viewed Netanyahu's actions as a threat to ongoing diplomatic engagement with Iran and a potential obstacle to broader regional stability.
The report describes a rare moment of open tension between the two leaders, long regarded as close allies. Trump is said to have warned that Israel's recent military actions were damaging the country's international image and fuelling growing global criticism. US officials indicated that he was particularly concerned about the scale of destruction in Lebanon and the civilian casualties resulting from attacks carried out under the banner of targeting Hezbollah.
While acknowledging Israel's security concerns, Trump reportedly believed recent operations had crossed acceptable limits. The confrontation reflected mounting frustration within Washington over the impact of Israel's military campaign on sensitive diplomatic initiatives.
According to Axios, Israeli officials later suggested there were no immediate plans to expand military operations in Lebanon, indicating that Trump's intervention may have influenced the situation. However, Netanyahu subsequently signalled no major change in policy, publicly maintaining that Israel's position remained unchanged.
The reported clash comes as diplomatic contacts involving Iran continue. Despite the tensions, Trump later indicated that discussions with Tehran were progressing rapidly, highlighting the administration's determination to keep negotiations on track even as regional instability persists.