In an interview with the Pod Force One podcast, aired on 3/6, US President Donald Trump was asked about a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two days prior.

"Did you tell Netanyahu, 'Are you crazy? What the hell are you doing? I helped you avoid jail?' Did you speak to him in such terms?", the interviewer asked.

Trump confirmed, "I did say that." He added that he felt "a bit annoyed" with Prime Minister Netanyahu, whom he often refers to by the nickname "Bibi," because the Israeli leader continued military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"I said, 'Bibi, we have to stop this'," he added.

US President Donald Trump (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on 29/9/2025. *Photo: AP*

However, the White House chief affirmed that he and the Israeli prime minister have "a very good relationship." "We worked very well together. I love Bibi very much," he said.

According to Axios and ABC News, Trump was tense with Netanyahu over Israel's threat to bomb Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, fearing it would affect negotiations with Iran. Tehran has repeatedly stated that any ceasefire and conflict resolution agreement must also include Lebanon. Iran reportedly paused peace talks with the US due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

When asked if Israel was "tricking" the US into an attack on Iran, Trump appeared annoyed, stating, "I started this myself. I started it because we cannot let them have nuclear weapons." He added that if Iran developed nuclear weapons, it would also affect Israel "because they would be the first country attacked."

Reuters today quoted Prime Minister Netanyahu as saying that he and Trump speak "every two days," and that the US president is "considering many options," seemingly referring to the conflict with Iran.

The US and Iran reached a ceasefire in early April, which remains in effect. Many exchanges of fire have occurred since then but have not escalated into a full-scale conflict. Both sides are working to reach an agreement to extend the truce for 60 days and open the Strait of Hormuz, facilitating discussions on Iran's nuclear program, but negotiations are deadlocked.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP, Reuters)