Report: Trump Demanded Lebanon Ceasefire in Heated Call with Netanyahu
By garrisonvance // 2026-06-02
Copy
 
President Donald Trump reportedly used profanity toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, according to a report by Axios cited by multiple news outlets. Two U.S. officials told Axios that Trump told Netanyahu "you're f***ing crazy" and "I'm saving your ass" over the Israeli leader's objections to a truce with Hezbollah. The call came as Israeli forces were advancing deeper into southern Lebanon and preparing to bomb Beirut, threatening to collapse a broader U.S.-Iran ceasefire framework. [1][2]

Details of the Phone Call

According to two U.S. officials cited by Axios, Trump was "pissed" and "steamrolled" Netanyahu during the call. One official summarized Trump's remarks to Netanyahu as: "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." A second source briefed on the call said Trump yelled at Netanyahu: "What the f**k are you doing?" The Axios report published Monday evening, June 1, described the conversation as remarkable for the level of detail leaked – suggesting it may have been an intentional disclosure by the U.S. side. [1] The officials said Trump warned Netanyahu that bombing Beirut would further isolate Israel internationally. Trump also claimed he had helped keep Netanyahu out of jail, a reference to his support during Netanyahu's corruption trial, according to the sources. The Israeli leader reportedly responded, "OK, OK, just make sure everything is taken care of," indicating he yielded to Trump's demands. The call effectively halted Israeli plans to launch a new wave of airstrikes on the Lebanese capital. [1][3]

Lebanon Ceasefire Developments

Following the phone call, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that "the shooting will stop" in Lebanon. He stated that he had "a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu" resulting in no troops going to Beirut, and that any troops already headed toward the city had been turned back. Trump also said he had "a very good call with Hezbollah through highly placed representatives" and that Hezbollah agreed to end all attacks. [4][5] The Lebanese presidency confirmed that Hezbollah agreed to a U.S. proposal for mutual cessation of attacks, which will expand to all Lebanese territory. Per a regional Arab correspondent cited by multiple sources, "the Israeli attack on Lebanon was obstructing the reaching of the agreement. The mediators exerted great effort today, and after the American pressure and the Israeli retreat, the doors are now open to return the negotiations to their natural and positive course." Despite the announcement, sirens sounded in the Israeli border community of Metula amid apparent Hezbollah rocket fire, indicating the fragility of the truce. [2][6][7]

Iran and Regional Implications

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Monday that Iran would be in "direct confrontation with the enemy" if Israel does not halt its attacks in Lebanon. Iran announced it was suspending all exchanges of messages with the United States, citing Israel's escalation as a breach of the broader ceasefire. Ghalibaf wrote on X that the "escalation of war crimes in Lebanon" were "clear evidence of U.S. noncompliance with the ceasefire." He warned: "Every choice has a price, and the bill comes due." [8][9] Trump shrugged off the apparent collapse of talks, telling CNBC, "I don't care if they're over, honestly. I couldn't care less." Earlier, Iranian state media reported that Tehran would "completely block" the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli aggression. Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command confirmed on Monday that two Iranian ballistic missiles targeting American forces in Kuwait were successfully intercepted. No U.S. personnel were harmed. [10][11]

Outlook

Trump suggested that peace deal talks with Iran could resume "at rapid pace" after the Lebanon truce is implemented. In a subsequent Truth Social post, he wrote: "Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us. Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end - it always does!" However, Netanyahu said Israeli forces would "continue to operate as planned in southern Lebanon." He also warned that if Hezbollah does not cease attacks, "Israel will attack terror targets in Beirut." [12][6] Hezbollah rocket attacks persisted despite the ceasefire announcement, with sirens sounding in Metula. Meanwhile, Kuwait reported intercepting Iranian missiles targeting a U.S. base, underscoring the fragile regional stability. The Trends Journal noted that ceasefires in the region have historically allowed Israel broad latitude to continue operations, and that the underlying tensions between Iran and the U.S.-Israel axis remain unresolved. The coming days will test whether Trump's direct intervention can hold or whether Netanyahu's political calculations will drive further escalation. [13][14]

References

  1. RT. "'You're f***ing crazy!' Trump yelled at Netanyahu for derailing Iran talks – Axios". June 2, 2026.
  2. Just the News. "Trump: 'No troops' to Lebanon, Hezbollah agreed to stop shooting". June 1, 2026.
  3. Trends-Journal-2024-09-17.
  4. 100PercentFedUp. "President Trump Turns Around Troops Headed for Beirut, Gets Hezbollah to Stop Shooting". June 1, 2026.
  5. Middle East Eye. "Trump says he 'had a very good call with Hezbollah' to end 'shooting' in Lebanon". June 1, 2026.
  6. ZeroHedge. "Over 70 Hezbollah Sites Struck As Netanyahu Orders IDF To 'Intensify Blows' On Lebanon". May 26, 2026.
  7. Patrick Lewis. "Hezbollah Defies Disarmament Demands as Israel Threatens Escalation". NaturalNews.com. January 10, 2026.
  8. Antiwar.com. "Ghalibaf Says Iran Will Be in 'Direct Confrontation' With Israel If It Doesn't Halt Attacks on Lebanon". June 1, 2026.
  9. ZeroHedge. "Israel Warns There'll Be 'No Calm In Beirut' Until Hezbollah Ceases Attacks". June 1, 2026.
  10. The War Zone. "U.S.-Iran Ceasefire On The Brink After Tit-For-Tat Attacks". June 1, 2026.
  11. Trends-Journal-2025-01-07.
  12. Middle East Eye. "Netanyahu says Israel will continue operations in southern Lebanon". June 1, 2026.
  13. Cassie B. "Israel's Disproportionate Strikes on Lebanon Raise Fears of Wider War". NaturalNews.com. March 24, 2025.
  14. Trends-Journal-2024-12-03.

Explainer Infographic

Editorial Cartoon

Copy