US President Trump Admits Insulting Netanyahu.

In a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump expressed his discontent, describing the interaction as unsettling. He also mentioned a desire to engage with Ayatollah Khamenei in a future meeting.

In a candid moment, US President Trump revealed the tone of his interactions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicating their relationship was generally warm despite some contentious issues that led him to label the Israeli leader as "crazy" on Wednesday.

In a recent conversation with The New York Post, Mr. Trump reflected on his collaboration with Netanyahu, describing it as a harmonious partnership.

Mr. Trump acknowledged using strong language during a phone exchange with Mr. Netanyahu, specifically regarding Israel's military actions in Lebanon, as reported by Axios, and he made this admission when questioned about the contentious conversation between the two leaders.

The president expressed concern over Netanyahu's persistent conflicts with Lebanon, specifically referencing the longstanding conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group based there.

Reports of a widening rift between US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have surfaced as the Middle East conflict continues to escalate. This development comes amidst ongoing joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran, which were initiated several months ago. The White House has deliberately kept Israel out of diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, while Mr. Trump has publicly called for a ceasefire with Hezbollah.

During a CNBC interview published following President Trump's comments, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu downplayed their differences, characterizing them as "strategic divergences." He chose not to elaborate on these disagreements.

During a New York Post interview, President Trump expressed his intention to one day sit down with Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that such a meeting was likely in the future.

Iranian officials remained silent on the matter, leaving uncertain the willingness of Ayatollah Khamenei, reportedly hurt in initial US-Israeli airstrikes, to engage in a meeting with President Trump.

Mr. Trump acknowledged uncertainty regarding the full scope of Netanyahu's physical condition, which has kept him out of public view for several months. His comments suggested that the Israeli leader may be experiencing significant health issues.

The US President's comments on Middle East peace talks touched on broader concerns about regional stability, with Trump indicating no urgency to resume commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway impacted by Iranian actions since hostilities began.

Mr. Trump's response to a question about the strait's status was a straightforward "I don't know" when inquired on September 7th.

Reporting was provided by Jonathan Wolfe.