US President Donald Trump has confirmed he swore at Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday, in what he described as a heated disagreement over the Lebanon conflict.
Trump spoke about the exchange in an interview with the New York Post published Wednesday. He confirmed that he had used expletives when confronting Netanyahu about the direction of Israel's military operations in Lebanon, though he did not elaborate on the specific details of their conversation.
The two leaders have maintained a close relationship, with Trump strongly supporting Israel throughout his political career. But this phone call marked a rare moment of visible friction between them, suggesting Trump's frustration with how Netanyahu was managing the broader regional conflict.
Neither the White House nor Israel's government has issued a formal statement about the call. The incident reflects growing tensions over how Israel should proceed with its military campaign in Lebanon, an issue that has drawn scrutiny from multiple governments and international organisations concerned about civilian casualties and regional stability.
Trump did not reveal what specific outcome he wanted from his conversation with Netanyahu or whether a follow-up discussion was planned. The exchange comes as the US continues to play a central role in Middle Eastern diplomacy, balancing its support for Israel with pressure from other international partners to de-escalate conflicts in the region.
