Israeli television networks News 12 and News 13 reported Tuesday that a series of tense conversations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led Washington to halt a planned Israeli strike in Beirut amid concerns it could jeopardize ongoing negotiations with Iran.

According to the reports, Israeli and American officials described one of the calls as among the most difficult exchanges between the two leaders since Trump returned to office. Sources cited by the networks said the White House became increasingly concerned that Israeli actions in Lebanon could trigger a broader regional escalation and undermine diplomatic efforts with Tehran.

News 12 reported that Israeli officials are concerned the confrontation could signal future restrictions by the Trump administration on Israel’s freedom of action in Lebanon, beyond the reported demand to avoid striking targets in Beirut.

According to the reports, one factor that reportedly angered Trump was a joint statement issued by Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, as well as public comments in which Netanyahu warned that Israel could strike Beirut if attacks from Lebanon continued. Israeli sources cited by the networks claimed those statements increased regional tensions and prompted pressure on Washington through diplomatic channels.

A senior American official quoted by News 12 said Trump believed Netanyahu was “losing control” and was preparing actions that could endanger the negotiations with Iran.

Israeli and American sources cited by the reports claimed Trump demanded that Netanyahu immediately back away from plans to strike Beirut and warned that such a move could further isolate Israel internationally.

The reports also included a series of alleged remarks attributed to Trump during the conversations. According to sources cited by News 12, Trump told Netanyahu that an attack on Beirut would damage both Israel’s international standing and American diplomatic efforts in the region. The networks further reported claims that Trump became visibly angry during the discussions and at one point sharply questioned Netanyahu’s intentions.

At the center of the dispute, according to News 12, was an earlier, previously undisclosed conversation between the two leaders. Sources familiar with that call claimed Netanyahu and Trump had agreed that Israel would issue an evacuation warning to residents of Beirut’s Dahiyeh district as a deterrent measure intended to pressure Hezbollah and the Lebanese government, but without an immediate intention to carry out a strike.

The reports state that officials in Washington later concluded Israel was preparing to move beyond the warning stage and conduct an actual attack. According to the sources, that assessment prompted the White House to intervene and apply what one source described as an immediate “brake” on the planned operation.

News 12 further reported that after the initial call, Netanyahu released a statement saying he had informed Trump that Israel would strike terror targets in Beirut if Hezbollah continued firing at Israeli civilians and cities. According to the report, that statement angered Trump and led to another difficult conversation between the two leaders later that evening.

Neither the White House nor the Prime Minister’s Office has publicly confirmed the details of the reported conversations or the specific claims attributed to either leader.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)