‘Bibi Needs To Be More Responsible’: Trump Warns Netanyahu Over Lebanon

Trump urges Netanyahu to be ‘more responsible’ in Lebanon, says Iran deal enters second phase; warns Tehran against nuclear ambitions and claims Iran now has ‘rational leadership’.

Trump urged Netanyahu to be ‘more responsible’ in Lebanon.

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Trump urged Netanyahu to be responsible amidst Lebanon conflict.
• He announced completed Iran deal; US won't invest financially.
• Trump cited rational Iranian leadership, preventing nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to be more responsible in the context of the fighting in Lebanon. He said this during a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France.

Trump also remarked that “without me, there would be no Israel,” reiterating his personal role in supporting the country.

Commenting on Netanyahu amid ongoing tensions linked to fighting in Lebanon, Trump said that “Bibi needs to be more responsible,” urging greater caution in handling the conflict and added he "didn't like" Israel's attack on Lebanon's Beirut shortly before Iran agreement. 

'Suggested To Israel To Let Syria Take Care Of Hezbollah'

Trump on Tuesday appeared to downplay the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah, describing it as a relatively “minor war” compared to broader regional challenges involving Iran.

“I consider that the minor war. Iran’s the big one, but we have that little pinprick out there that constantly rears its head and that’s Hezbollah,” Trump said.

VIDEO | Evian, France: "I have suggested Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah, they will do a better job," said US President Donald Trump.

(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/iyHOOIGPpY

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 16, 2026

The US President also suggested that Syria, under interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, could play a more effective role in dealing with the Iran-backed militant group.

“I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah, because to be honest with you, I think they would do a better job,” he said.

Trump’s remarks amounted to a rare public disagreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, in a televised address on Monday evening, rejected the possibility of an immediate Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and signalled that military operations would continue.

'US Would Not Invest Any Money'

 Trump also said that a deal with Iran has been completed and is now moving into a second phase, which he described as likely to be easier, during a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France.

Calling the agreement “fair and good,” Trump said the United States would not invest any money in Iran and stressed that Washington has no financial commitments under the arrangement. He added that the US retains the option to “go in there in the future” if it chooses, but is currently not involved in any investment.

Trump says Iran has ‘rational leadership now’

The US President also said Iran now has “rational leadership,” contrasting it with what he described as earlier “totally irrational” leaders who are “now gone,” following the killing of several Iranian officials in the early phase of the conflict involving US and Israeli strikes.

 Trump reiterated that the central aim of ongoing negotiations is to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.

Describing the emerging agreement as a safeguard, Trump said the deal “creates a wall” against Iran developing nuclear arms. “This deal is a wall to a nuclear weapon,” he said, contrasting it with the previous nuclear agreement under former U.S. President Barack Obama, which he called “a road to a nuclear weapon.”

'All ⁠hell ​will rain ⁠down’ on Iran if ...'

He further warned that “all hell will rain down” on Iran if it attempts to pursue nuclear weapons, adding that the agreement makes Tehran’s non-nuclear status explicit and non-negotiable.

Trump also addressed the wider regional conflict, saying there were “too many people being killed” in Lebanon amid Israeli military operations against Hezbollah. He criticised the scale of strikes, arguing that entire apartment buildings were being destroyed when targeting individuals.

“You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody,” Trump said, adding that civilians were also being killed and were not necessarily affiliated with Hezbollah.

He further suggested that Syria could potentially play a role in dealing with Hezbollah, saying he had proposed that Israel allow Syria to “take care of Hezbollah,” which he believed could be more effective.