President Trump Confirms He Called Netanyahu ‘F–king Crazy’ Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
President Trump confirmed Wednesday that he sharply confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a heated phone call over continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon, while insisting the two leaders still maintain a strong working relationship.
Speaking during an interview on Miranda Devine’s “Pod Force One,” Trump acknowledged reports that he called Netanyahu “f–king crazy” during a Monday conversation focused on the widening regional conflict tied to the Iran war.
“I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon,” Trump said.
The Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah has complicated ongoing US efforts to negotiate a broader peace agreement with Iran, which has demanded an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon before moving forward with discussions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and dismantling Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Despite the blunt language, Trump stressed that his relationship with Netanyahu remains strong.
“We’ve worked very well together. I like Bibi a lot. And I work very well with him,” Trump said.
“I’m a wartime president,” he added. “He’s a wartime prime minister.”
Trump expressed optimism that negotiations with Iran could still produce a breakthrough “fairly quickly,” despite repeated delays and rising tensions throughout the region.
A proposed memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran could reportedly reopen the Strait of Hormuz as early as this week, potentially easing pressure on global oil markets after months of disruptions.
Still, Trump made clear he is prepared to maintain economic and military pressure if necessary.
Asked whether the US naval blockade surrounding Iranian ports could remain in place through Labor Day, Trump responded: “I don’t know. I mean, I think it could be, but I think it’s unlikely.”
“I think this will resolve itself fairly quickly,” he continued.
Trump also dismissed earlier predictions that the conflict would send oil prices skyrocketing.
“Everyone said it was going to be $300, $400 a barrel,” Trump said. “It’s $98 a barrel but that’s not a big price to pay if you look at the possibility of them having a nuclear weapon.”
He said negotiations with Iran are “rapidly evolving” and reiterated that the administration’s ultimate objective remains preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“We’re not going to have a nuclear weapon and lots of other good things are going to happen,” Trump said.
Trump also revealed he believes Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is personally involved in the ongoing negotiations despite remaining largely hidden from public view following heavy Israeli strikes earlier in the conflict.
“I’d like to meet him,” Trump said. “I’d love to meet everybody. I would like to meet him, and we probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out.”
The conflict between Israel and Iran began Feb. 28 and has since expanded into a broader regional crisis involving disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, rising oil prices, and repeated diplomatic flashpoints between Washington, Tehran, and Jerusalem.