President Donald Trump confirmed that he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu crazy in a recent phone call.
The two had a tense exchange on Monday over Israel's escalation in Lebanon, with Trump forcing Netanyahu to to cancel planned attacks in a Beirut suburb considered to be a Hezbollah stronghold.
Trump was asked about the situation in the New York Post's "Pod Force One" podcast. Concretely, whether he had called Netanyahu "effing crazy" and accused him of being ungrateful to him considering his reiterated support.
"I did," Trump confirmed. "I wouldn't say angry. I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon, you know."
The report in question noted that the call took place after Iran threatened to walk out of negotiations as a results of the increased attacks, including the anticipated strikes in Dahieh, the Beirut suburb.
A U.S. official said Trump's message could be summarized as such: "You're f--king 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."
Another one described the U.S. president as "pissed" and at one point yelled "what the f--k are you doing?" at Netanyahu.
Shortly after the call Trump said he had a "very productive" call with Netanyahu and "and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back."
"Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop — That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel."
Trump also said on Monday that negotiations with Iran were "continuing at a rapid pace." Iranian officials have not reacted publicly to the developments.
Netanyahu, on his end, released a statement saying he told Trump Israel would target Beirut if Hezbollah did not stop attacking Israel, and would continue operations in southern Lebanon in the meantime. "Our position remains the same," reads a passage of the publication.
Iranian news agency IRNA also reported that Hezbollah committed to adhere to a ceasefire if Israel does so as well and withdraws from areas where troops have been moving to over the past weeks.
The Lebanese Embassy in Washington also said Hezbollah agreed the terms of a proposal for a "mutual cessation of attacks." But NBC News reported that clashes continued on Tuesday.
Another report noted that the U.S. is planning to have its military train Lebanese counterparts to confront Hezbollah. Israeli public broadcaster Kan detailed that the initiative has Israel's backing and its ultimate goal is to disarm the group.
