Trump Confirms He Called Netanyahu 'Crazy' as Israel-Lebanon Conflict Complicates US-Iran Talks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US President Donald Trump acknowledged that he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'crazy' during a recent phone call discussing the Israel-Lebanon conflict. The United States is attempting to negotiate an end to the war with Iran, but the fighting between Israel and Lebanon is adding variables to the situation.

In an interview aired on Wednesday, Trump was asked if he had called Netanyahu 'absolutely crazy' and accused him of being ungrateful, as reported by US news website Axios.

"I did say that. I wouldn't say I was angry, but I was a bit bothered that he kept fighting with Lebanon," Trump admitted on the New York Post's podcast, "Pod Force One."

Trump then emphasized that his relationship with Netanyahu remains good.

Axios had previously reported, citing an unnamed US official, that Trump told Netanyahu during a call on the 1st of the month: "You're fucking crazy. If it weren't for me, you'd be in jail right now. I'm saving you. Now everyone hates you, everyone hates Israel because of this."

In the interview, Trump said: "I told him, 'Bibi (Netanyahu's nickname), we have to stop this. We have to get it to stop.'"

Iran has stated that it will not reach an end-of-war agreement with the US unless a ceasefire includes Lebanon. After Trump and Netanyahu jointly launched an offensive against Iran in late February, Iran's ally, Lebanon's Hezbollah, opened fire on Israel in support of Tehran, prompting Israeli forces to invade Lebanon in March to pursue Hezbollah.

Despite US-brokered agreements on the 1st for Israel to suspend attacks on Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Beirut and for Hezbollah to halt cross-border attacks, the conflict has not ceased.

Lebanese security sources said Israeli drones attacked southern Lebanon on Wednesday, killing at least six people and targeting a vehicle south of Beirut. Israel said it intercepted a hostile aircraft that may have been launched by Hezbollah.