Trump mediates Lebanon ceasefire talks amid heated exchange with Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump announced he had brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon after sharply criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's escalation in Lebanon during a heated phone conversation. The diplomatic intervention came after Iran threatened to suspend ongoing negotiations with Washington over Israel's military offensive in Lebanon.

According to reports from Axios, Trump conducted a profanity-laden phone call with Netanyahu on Monday, accusing him of ingratitude and threatening to stop planned Israeli strikes on Beirut. A US official quoted Trump as saying: "You're f***ing 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." A second source reported that Trump was "pissed" and at one point shouted: "What the f*** are you doing?"

Hezbollah signaled its readiness for a nationwide ceasefire through Lebanese parliamentary channels. Prominent Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah told al-Manar that the group supports a "full ceasefire on all Lebanese territory," which should be followed by the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon. The Lebanese presidency confirmed that Hezbollah had agreed to a US proposal calling for a "reciprocal cessation of attacks."

Despite Trump's ceasefire announcement, Netanyahu announced that Israeli military operations would continue. The Israeli Prime Minister stated that Israeli forces would "continue to operate as planned" in southern Lebanon. Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir publicly contradicted any halt to operations against Hezbollah, saying it was "time" to say "no" to Trump and continue striking Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The escalation in Lebanon had prompted Iran to suspend indirect talks with the US. Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Tehran had suspended dialogue with mediators in protest against Israel's expanding Lebanon offensive. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri that any agreement to end the conflict between Iran and the United States "will include the cessation of attacks on all fronts, especially Lebanon."

Trump, however, claimed that negotiations with Iran were continuing at a "rapid pace." This account contradicts Iranian statements that all peace talks with the US had been suspended. The US President stated he had "very productive" calls with Netanyahu and highly placed representatives of Hezbollah, with both sides agreeing to ceasefire terms.

The situation reflects complex regional tensions where diplomatic efforts at de-escalation intersect with ongoing military operations. Israel had threatened to attack the Lebanese capital Beirut if Hezbollah did not immediately stop launching projectiles against Israeli cities. Hezbollah had intensified its attacks on Israeli territory in response to Israeli operations in Lebanon.

The contradictory statements from various actors raise questions about the actual effectiveness of the ceasefire efforts. While Trump speaks of an agreement, both Israel and Hezbollah continue their military activities. US officials expressed doubts that Netanyahu would agree to a total ceasefire, highlighting the challenges of implementing diplomatic solutions in the region.

The developments also demonstrate the limits of Trump's influence over his longtime ally Netanyahu, despite the US President's sharp criticism and threats. Iran warned it could not only stop the dialogue process but also "stand against" Israel if attacks continued, indicating Tehran's willingness to escalate tensions further if diplomatic efforts fail.

The ongoing fighting in Lebanon threatens not only to further escalate regional tensions but also to jeopardize broader diplomatic efforts toward détente with Iran, which Trump has pursued as an important foreign policy goal. The situation underscores the interconnected nature of Middle Eastern conflicts, where actions in one theater can rapidly affect negotiations and relationships across the region.

Reports differ on the current status of various diplomatic channels, with Trump maintaining that Iran talks are proceeding rapidly while Iranian sources indicate a complete suspension of dialogue. This discrepancy highlights the information warfare aspect of the conflict, where competing narratives about diplomatic progress serve strategic communication purposes for all parties involved.