In what is being described as one of the most contentious exchanges between the two leaders since Trump returned to office, the US President reportedly unleashed a profanity-laced tirade at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call, accusing him of reckless military escalation in Lebanon and threatening to unravel Washington’s sensitive negotiations with Iran.

The confrontation, reported by Axios and confirmed by two US officials and a third source briefed on the call, came after Israel ordered strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs and expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, moves that alarmed Washington and drew fresh warnings from Tehran.

According to those sources, Trump accused Netanyahu of pushing Israel toward international isolation and endangering American diplomatic efforts with Iran. He called the Israeli Prime Minister “crazy” and complained that he was acting without any regard for the consequences.

One US official quoted Trump as telling Netanyahu directly: “You’re f*****g 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.”