Expressing frustration over the continued warfare in Lebanon, U.S. President Donald Trump has personally confirmed that he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “crazy.”

Trump reportedly used this label during a phone conversation held while the United States was attempting to mediate an end to the conflict with Iran.

In an interview featured on the “Pod Save America” ​​podcast—broadcast yesterday, Wednesday—Trump was asked whether, as reported by the U.S. news outlet Axios, he had indeed called Netanyahu “crazy” and accused him of ingratitude.

In response, Trump stated, “Yes, I did say that. However, I wasn’t angry. I was simply a bit annoyed by his continued pursuit of war in Lebanon.” Almost immediately afterward, however, Trump added that his relationship with Netanyahu remains very good.

Citing an anonymous U.S. official, the Axios report stated that during the aforementioned phone call last Monday, Trump told Netanyahu directly: “You are crazy. If it weren’t for me, you would be in jail right now. I am saving your skin. Because of this [war], everyone now hates you and Israel.”

Speaking on the podcast, Trump further remarked, “At one point, I told him, ‘Bibi [Netanyahu’s nickname], we need to stop this now.'”
Shared Goals

Regarding the Axios report, Benjamin Netanyahu declined to disclose the specific details of the phone conversation during an interview with the U.S. news outlet CNBC yesterday. However, noting that his relationship with Trump remains unchanged, he stated: “Our goals are aligned. Yet, even among the happiest of families, occasional tactical disagreements are bound to arise.”

Netanyahu further added, “To this day, Trump remains Israel’s greatest friend in the White House. He respects me, and I respect him.” “We always find ways to resolve our differences.”

Meanwhile, Iran has stated that Tehran will not agree to any ceasefire deal until Lebanon is included within its scope. Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran in late February. Subsequently, in March, Israeli forces initiated a ground offensive in Lebanon under the pretext of suppressing Hezbollah.

On Monday, under a U.S.-mediated agreement, Israel agreed to halt attacks on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, while Hezbollah agreed to cease firing rockets into Israel. Nevertheless, at least six people were killed in southern Lebanon yesterday following an Israeli drone strike.

Israel claimed to have shot down an enemy drone, which was likely dispatched by Hezbollah.

During an interview, Trump was asked whether he had launched the attacks on Iran at the instigation of Netanyahu. In response, Trump stated, “I initiated these attacks myself to ensure that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.” He also characterized his critics as enemies.

Trump further added, “This applies to Israel as well, because they would likely have been the first victims of an attack. If I were not here, the State of Israel would not exist today.”

Trump asserted that Israel’s situation would have been far worse had he not withdrawn the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal.

Under that agreement—negotiated with former U.S. President Barack Obama and several other world leaders—Iran had agreed to curtail its nuclear program. In exchange, the sanctions imposed on the country were eased.

However, in 2018, during his first term, Trump withdrew the United States from the accord. Subsequently, Iran amassed a large stockpile of highly enriched uranium, reaching a level sufficient for the production of a nuclear bomb. Trump is now demanding that Iran relinquish this stockpile.

According to Trump’s critics, however, Iran has moved even closer to developing nuclear weapons since the abrogation of that agreement. As a result, it will now be difficult for Trump to strike a better deal than before.