They Had Words

US President Donald Trump confirmed that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a terse conversation over Israel attacking Hezbollah while the US is negotiating with Iran as we hear in an article from The Epoch Times:

President Donald Trump confirmed in a new interview that he sharply castigated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon.

The call was a three days ago and Trump made it clear how much he is helping the PM:

Axios first reported, citing unnamed sources, that Trump had berated Netanyahu in a June 1 phone call, claimed he'd helped keep the Israeli leader out of jail, and shouted expletives as he called for Israeli forces to restrain their campaign against the Lebanon-based designated terrorist group Hezbollah.

Trump acknowledged the conversation but demurred when people said he blew up at Netanyahu:

When asked during an interview with the New York Post whether he criticized Netanyahu as reported, Trump said, “I did, I wouldn’t say [I was] angry.”

The US President added why he was upset at Netanyahu and made the point that the fighting against Hezbollah needs to end:

“I was a little bit perturbed at him, constantly fighting with Lebanon. You know, at some point I said, ‘Bibi, we’ve got to stop this,’” Trump added.

The issue is that Iran wants all attacks on themselves and their proxies to end in any agreement, something I think should never be connected:

Iranian officials have repeatedly raised objections to the recent Israeli military actions against Hezbollah, which has historically been aligned with Tehran. Moves by the Netanyahu government to intensify pressure on the Lebanese faction have begun to complicate efforts to resolve the current armed standoff with Iran.

For Good Reason

The fighting between the proxies goes back to when Hamas surprised the world by a vicious attack on Israel in 2023:

Following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on southern Israel, Hezbollah launched its own attacks on Israeli territory along the border with Lebanon. Israeli forces launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon in October 2024 and have maintained a presence there since.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was brokered but was also on shaky ground from the beginning. Things heated up again earlier this year:

After U.S. and Israeli forces launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28, Hezbollah renewed attacks on Israel.

Apparently a truce between Iran and the US started but in April, but Israel, responding to attacks from Hezbollah on them struck back, irritating Iran and now, Trump:

The United States and Iran entered into a ceasefire on April 7, but that truce was shaken within days as Iranian leaders balked as Israeli operations against Hezbollah continued. The Trump administration subsequently brokered a parallel ceasefire between the Israeli and Lebanese governments, but Tehran has complained of continuing infractions.

Netanyahu rightfully maintains that if attacked they will strike back, a sentiment Israelis support even if Trump is irritated by it:

Following his June 1 call with Trump, Netanyahu said Israel’s stance “remains unchanged.” He said Israel stood ready to strike targets in Beirut if Hezbollah launched further attacks on Israel’s territory or citizenry. Netanyahu also said Israeli forces would continue planned ground operations in southern Lebanon.

The other point of contention is the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz:

Iranian officials have also raised objections to a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and maritime trade, which came into effect on April 13.

Making things more complicated was attacks by Iran on other countries in the region:

U.S. forces launched a missile at the engine room of an oil tanker on June 2, halting its progress toward an Iranian port. Following that blockade enforcement action, Iranian forces launched new missile and drone attacks targeting Kuwait and Bahrain.

Iran justified the attacks although the damage was minimal:

Tehran justified the attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain under the premise that those two Gulf states had allowed U.S. forces to use their territory to launch attacks on Iranian interests. Kuwaiti authorities reported that one person was killed and several others were injured when an Iranian drone struck the Kuwait International Airport. The U.S. military reported that some Iranian projectiles targeting Kuwait fell short, while U.S. and partner forces intercepted other projectiles targeting Kuwait and Bahrain without any harm to U.S. personnel.

How will this all turn out? I don’t know. From a secular perspective I want this Iranian regime to be defeated and the people of Iran to be free from it. The protesters who were hurt and even executed deserve justice. But from a Bible prophecy view the current leaders fit the coming war of Gog and Magog perfectly. I pray that God works it all out because I can’t see how it can all happen. It’s always a good thing to put things in God’s hands in any situation.