Trump Blasts Netanyahu Over Beirut Strikes as Iran Threatens to Quit U.S. Peace Talks
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 2
Trump Blasts Netanyahu Over Beirut Strikes as Iran Threatens to Quit U.S. Peace Talks
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 2
An expletive-laden Monday call put Trump in direct conflict with Netanyahu after Israel struck Hezbollah in Beirut, with ABC and Axios reporting Trump demanded to know what Netanyahu was doing and called him "crazy."
Iran then threatened to pull out of peace talks with Washington, arguing the Beirut strikes endangered negotiations tied to efforts to end hostilities more permanently.
The flare-up also risked unraveling carefully negotiated ceasefires in both Lebanon and Iran, while U.S. self-described defensive strikes on Iran triggered fresh accusations from Tehran that Washington had breached the truce.
Washington now faces immediate political fallout as Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads into congressional budget hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday with the Iran conflict expected to dominate questioning.
As Israel's army defies Trump by advancing in Lebanon, is the wider US-Iran ceasefire doomed to fail?
If new imagery shows Iran is restoring its missile arsenal, what was the strategic gain of the March strikes?
With all eyes on the Strait of Hormuz, is the world ignoring Iran's next major threat at Bab al-Mandab?
3,400+ Dead in Lebanon as Trump Pressures Israel, Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz: Ceasefire on the Brink
Overview
In late May and early June 2026, the conflict in Lebanon sharply escalated as Israeli military operations intensified, resulting in thousands of casualties. Amid this violence, US President Donald Trump announced a partial truce framework, but the ceasefire remained fragile due to heavy US pressure on Israel and ongoing hostilities. The Lebanese death toll rose dramatically, while Hezbollah attacks killed Israeli soldiers and civilians. Despite the truce announcement, Israeli leadership delayed their response and continued military actions, highlighting deep mistrust and the unstable nature of the ceasefire. This situation underscores the complex and volatile dynamics driving the ongoing crisis.