US media claim that Donald Trump shouted insults at the Israeli Prime Minister during a phone call on Monday, displeased that Netanyahu ordered continued attacks on Lebanon's capital, prompting Iran to halt negotiations.
Multiple foreign news agencies reported that US President Donald Trump angrily berated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday after Israel expanded military operations in Lebanon, causing Iran to announce a suspension of peace talks with the US.
According to Axios, a US news website that often reveals high-level talks between leaders, Trump shouted at Netanyahu, "What the f- are you doing?" during their Monday phone conversation.
The report cited a US official summarizing Trump's remarks to Netanyahu: "You're f-ing crazy. You'd be in jail if not for me. I'm saving your life. Now everyone hates you, and because of this, everyone hates Israel too."
The call followed Netanyahu's order for the Israeli military to resume bombing the Dahiya district in southern Beirut to target Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed armed group. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) instructed thousands of Lebanese civilians to evacuate the southern Beirut area.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Iran announced a temporary suspension of peace talks with the US due to ongoing Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon. Tehran insisted Lebanon should be protected under a fragile ceasefire agreement currently in place.
The phone conversation between Trump and Netanyahu occurred immediately after Iran's announcement, effectively freezing the negotiations just days after Trump claimed the negotiating team had reached a preliminary agreement and that he was considering signing it.
However, Israel's independent Channel 12 TV challenged Axios's report. Amit Segal, the station's chief political analyst, stated that Trump did not personally attack Netanyahu and that the two leaders agreed Netanyahu would suspend attacks on Beirut suburbs if Hezbollah ceased attacks on Israel.
Trump and Netanyahu have had a strained relationship in the past, even though Israel remains a key US ally in the region. The two leaders cooperated in launching strikes against Iran in February at Netanyahu's urging.
Last year, Trump spoke harshly, saying, "Iran and Israel don't know what they're doing," during a 12-day conflict involving air power, missiles, and drones between the two sides.
Additionally, Netanyahu congratulated Joe Biden on his victory in the 2020 US presidential election. When reporters asked Trump about this, he replied, "F- him."
Currently, Trump faces pressure from various factions within the Republican Party. Allies who support Israel are calling for stronger US measures against Iran, while others seek a swift end to the war to reduce economic damage before the US midterm elections in November.
Netanyahu is also under political pressure. This week, the Israeli parliament passed a preliminary bill to dissolve the Knesset and pave the way for early elections. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's corruption trial is scheduled to continue after multiple delays due to Israel's security situation.
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Source:the guardian