I was perturbed: Trump admits calling Netanyahu 'f***ing crazy' over Beirut attacks

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he angrily confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's military actions in Lebanon, admitting that he called the Israeli leader "f***ing crazy" during a heated phone conversation.

The exchange took place as Washington was trying to keep fragile negotiations with Iran on track and prevent the conflict from escalating further. The pressure on the Trump administration had reportedly intensified after Iran suspended talks with the US in protest of Israel's military campaign in Lebanon and alleging that continued attacks jeopardised the ceasefire.

Speaking on The New York Times' Pod Force One podcast, Trump was asked about reports that he had used strong language while discussing Israel's attacks in Lebanon.

"I did," Trump replied when asked whether he had called Netanyahu "f***ing crazy."

However, he insisted he was not furious with the Israeli leader.

"I wouldn't say angry. I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon, you know," Trump said.

INSIDE THE HEATED PHONE CALL

According to an earlier Axios report, the US President became increasingly frustrated after Israel military operations in Lebanon and ordered strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut's southern suburbs.

The report said Trump accused Netanyahu of jeopardising peace efforts and pushing Israel towards bigger international isolation.

One US official quoted Trump as telling Netanyahu: "You're f***ing crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this."

Another source familiar with the conversation said Trump also shouted: "What the f**k are you doing?"

Trump did not refute the details of the report during the podcast interview. Instead, he admitted his concerns were focused on the continued fighting in Lebanon.

"At some point I said, Bibi, we got to stop this. We got to stop it," Trump said.

LEBANON CONFLICT COMPLICATES IRAN TALKS

The phone call took place at a sensitive moment.

Iran has repeatedly stated that it will not agree to a broader settlement with Washington unless any ceasefire arrangement also applies to Lebanon. Tehran has argued that fighting in Lebanon and attacks on Hezbollah cannot be separated from wider negotiations involving Iran and the United States.

The latest tensions erupted after Israel launched strikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in Beirut's southern suburbs and expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon.

Following the call, Trump announced that he had spoken with Netanyahu and claimed Israel would pull back from planned operations near Beirut.

"I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu," Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that "there will be no Troops going to Beirut."

Trump also said Hezbollah had agreed through intermediaries to halt attacks on Israel.

However, the claims collapsed within hours after both sides traded fresh attacks.

In a statement issued after the phone call, he said Israel would continue operations in southern Lebanon and warned that attacks on Beirut could remain an option if Hezbollah continued firing on Israeli territory.

"Our position remains the same," Netanyahu said.

TRUMP DEFENDS IRAN WAR DECISION

During the same podcast interview, Trump also rejected that Netanyahu had manipulated him into launching military action against Iran.

"I mean, I'm the one that started it," Trump said. "I started because we can't let them have a nuclear weapon."

"Now that pertains to Israel, because they probably would have been the first one to get hit. There would be no Israel. Tell you what, if there wasn't me, there would be no Israel right now."

IRAN STRIKES KUWAIT AS GULF CONFLICT DEEPENS

The conflict in the Gulf intensified once again on Wednesday as Iran launched attacks on Kuwait while US forces carried out fresh military operations near the Strait of Hormuz, adding to fears that efforts to end the war are losing momentum.

Kuwait temporarily suspended flights at its international airport after Iranian drones and missiles struck airport facilities and diplomatic compounds. Kuwaiti authorities said the attack killed one person and injured more than 60 others, while also causing significant damage to infrastructure.

The escalation came hours after Iranian media reported that the Revolutionary Guards had targeted the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, a US airbase and a vessel identified as Panaya. However, US Central Command said its bases were not hit and stated that several Iranian ballistic missiles failed to reach their intended targets.

The US military later announced a new round of what it described as "defensive strikes" inside southern Iran. According to CENTCOM, American forces targeted missile launch sites, struck Iranian boats that were allegedly attempting to deploy naval mines and carried out operations on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz following attempted Iranian attacks in the area.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies