Trump says Netanyahu should thank the U.S. and blasts Israel’s Beirut strike

President Donald Trump lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a forceful interview with The New York Times, saying Israel owes the United States a great deal. He argued that if Iran had obtained nuclear weapons, “Israel would not have survived two hours,” and added, “He is a very difficult guy, and frankly he should thank us very much.”

The remarks came amid rising tension between Washington and Jerusalem after Israel’s strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district. Trump had already expressed anger over the attack in an interview with Fox News, saying, “A deal could happen within two hours, or three, I spoke with Netanyahu, I said, ‘What the hell are you doing?!’”

According to additional reports, Trump also reacted sharply in conversations with reporters, saying, “Why did Bibi launch such an attack?! It really angered me, I couldn’t believe this was happening, he has no fucking judgment.” The comments came after the U.S. and Iran reached an agreement.

Trump said the deal with Iran was finally completed on Monday and offered “congratulations to everyone” on restored freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. He wrote that “the deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete” and said the American blockade on Iran would be lifted in full immediately.

Iran’s leadership celebrated the agreement on state television, claiming the United States had been forced to sign an accord ending the war against the Islamic Republic and the “axis of resistance.” Iranian officials also said Trump asked them to show restraint over the Israeli action in Beirut and promised to work toward an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.