U.S. President Says He Urged Israeli Leader to Curb Military Operations as Regional Tensions Complicate Ceasefire Efforts With Iran
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has confirmed that he strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon.
Axios previously reported, citing unnamed sources, that Trump had sharply rebuked Netanyahu during a June 1 phone call, reminding the Israeli leader that he had helped keep him out of jail and using expletives while urging Israel to scale back its operations against the Lebanon-based designated terrorist group Hezbollah.
Asked in an interview with the New York Post whether he had criticized Netanyahu as reported, Trump responded, “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 objected to Israel’s recent military actions against Hezbollah, a group that has long maintained close ties with Tehran. Efforts by Netanyahu’s government to increase pressure on the Lebanese faction have complicated broader attempts to resolve the ongoing confrontation with Iran.
Following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel, Hezbollah launched its own attacks across the Israel-Lebanon border. Israeli forces later began a ground incursion into southern Lebanon in October 2024 and have maintained a presence there ever since.
After U.S. and Israeli forces launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28, Hezbollah resumed attacks on Israeli territory.
The United States and Iran entered into a ceasefire on April 7, but the agreement came under strain within days as Iranian leaders expressed dissatisfaction over the continuation of Israeli operations against Hezbollah. The Trump administration later brokered a separate ceasefire between the Israeli and Lebanese governments, though Tehran has continued to allege violations of the agreement.
Following his June 1 conversation with Trump, Netanyahu stated that Israel’s position “remains unchanged.” He said Israel was prepared to strike targets in Beirut if Hezbollah carried out additional attacks against Israeli territory or civilians. Netanyahu also indicated that Israeli forces would proceed with planned ground operations in southern Lebanon.
Iranian officials have also criticized a U.S. blockade targeting Iranian ports and maritime trade, which took effect on April 13.
On June 2, U.S. forces launched a missile strike against the engine room of an oil tanker, stopping the vessel as it headed toward an Iranian port. Following that enforcement action, Iranian forces launched new missile and drone attacks against Kuwait and Bahrain.
Tehran justified the strikes by claiming that both Gulf states had allowed U.S. forces to use their territory for operations targeting Iranian interests.
Kuwaiti authorities reported that one person was killed and several others were injured after an Iranian drone struck Kuwait International Airport. The U.S. military said some Iranian projectiles aimed at Kuwait failed to reach their targets, while U.S. and allied forces intercepted additional missiles and drones directed at Kuwait and Bahrain. No U.S. personnel were reported harmed in the attacks.
