Trump confirms calling Netanyahu 'crazy' for Israel attacks on Lebanon amid efforts to end Iran war

President Donald Trump confirmed that he had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "f---ing crazy" in a tense phone call over the fighting in Lebanon, as part of the larger U.S.-Israel war with Iran that Trump is trying to end.

Axios initially reported on the expletive-laden conversation Monday between the heads of state, in which Trump insisted that Israel must cease fighting in the region. Iran has repeatedly voiced objections to continued fighting in Lebanon, saying that the country was included in an initial ceasefire deal.

During an interview with the New York Post's "Pod Force One, released Thursday," Trump fielded a question about his remarks to Netanyahu.

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

Lebanon has been the site of fierce fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah. A ceasefire in the region has been a sticking point for negotiations to end the Iran war.

After reports broke that Iran had suspended talks in protest of the fighting there, Trump confirmed he spoke with Netanyahu and that fighting would end. He later denied that Iran had broken off the talks at all.

Trump acknowledges a heated call with Netanyahu amid ongoing talks.

"I did," Trump said when asked whether he indeed asked Netanyahu, in those exact words, about his mental state.

Trump also said he urging Netanyahu to stop the fighting happening in Lebanon. “At some point I said, 'Bibi, we got to stop this. We got to stop it,'"

Despite the fiery phone call, Trump insisted the relationship between the two of them is strong, adding they share a connection of being  “war-time” leaders, “We’ve worked very well together. I like Bibi a lot. And I work very well with him.”

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.