Trump reportedly lashed out at Netanyahu on Monday over Israel's escalation in Lebanon, describing the Israeli leader as "crazy" and warning that further military action would deepen Israel's international isolation, according to a report by Axios.
The reported exchange came as Trump publicly claimed progress in efforts to stop the fighting, saying he had held productive discussions with Netanyahu and, through intermediaries, with the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Netanyahu had agreed to halt plans for further military advances into Lebanon, while Hezbollah had committed to ending attacks on Israel.
“There will be no troops going to Beirut, and any troops that are on their way have already been turned back,” Trump wrote, adding that Hezbollah had agreed that “all shooting will stop.”
According to Axios, Trump also intervened to stop a proposed Israeli military operation against Beirut after Israel threatened to strike the Lebanese capital's southern outskirts.
One U.S. official familiar with the call told the news outlet that Trump berated Netanyahu and argued that he had supported him during his corruption proceedings. Another source said Trump was visibly angry and repeatedly challenged Israel's military actions in Lebanon.
The comments came as violence continued on the ground.
Israeli strikes targeted southern Lebanon on Monday, while Hezbollah attacks against Israeli forces were also reported, raising questions about the durability of the truce.
Later on Monday, Lebanon's embassy in Washington said Hezbollah had accepted a U.S.-backed proposal for a mutual cessation of hostilities that would be expanded to cover all Lebanese territory.
In a statement shared by the Lebanese presidency on X, the embassy said the arrangement would begin with Israel refraining from strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs in exchange for Hezbollah halting attacks on Israel.
The proposal followed Israeli threats to target the capital's southern outskirts earlier in the day.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah later told the group's Al-Manar television channel that the movement supports a comprehensive ceasefire across Lebanon as a first step toward the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
He added that Hezbollah would assess in the coming days whether the truce is being respected.
Earlier in the day, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran was suspending indirect negotiations with Washington after Israel ordered troops to advance deeper into Lebanon on Sunday.
Trump later told NBC News that he had not received any information from Iran regarding a suspension of talks.
Iranian state television subsequently reported that the broader ceasefire arrangement involving the United States could be in jeopardy if Israeli operations against Hezbollah continued.
While Iranian officials did not formally confirm the reports, Iran's Foreign Ministry reiterated that Washington bears responsibility for violations of both the U.S.-Iran ceasefire framework and the Lebanon truce because of its support for Israel.
Israel has repeatedly carried out strikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut's southern suburbs since a ceasefire took effect in mid-April.
On Monday, Netanyahu ordered additional attacks on the Hezbollah stronghold, according to reports.
Israeli forces currently control territory in southern Lebanon stretching from the border to the Litani River and have advanced beyond it towards the Zahrani River, marking Israel's deepest military incursion into Lebanon in 25 years.
Later on Monday, Lebanon's presidency said Hezbollah had accepted a U.S.-backed proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks across Lebanese territory.
However, the statement suggested the commitment might not extend to northern Israel, where Hezbollah has continued launching attacks since the ceasefire began.
Separately, an Israeli official told Axios that Israel was no longer planning strikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut.
Trump’s claim that he communicated with Hezbollah through intermediaries is unusual.
The group is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States and no sitting U.S. president has previously acknowledged direct or indirect contact with Hezbollah in such terms.
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