President Donald Trump has confirmed reports that he engaged in a tense phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Israel’s ongoing military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, offering one of the clearest indications yet of disagreements between the two longtime allies over how the conflict should be handled.

During an interview with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine, Trump acknowledged that he had become increasingly frustrated by the continued fighting and personally pressed Netanyahu to de-escalate the situation before it spiraled into a wider regional conflict.

“I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon. At some point I said ‘Bibi, we gotta stop this. We gotta stop it,’” Trump said.

While Trump did not repeat other reported remarks during the interview, he confirmed that tensions had emerged between the two leaders as violence continued along Israel’s northern border. The conflict has become a growing concern for U.S. officials, who have been attempting to prevent further escalation involving Iran-backed groups throughout the Middle East.

Following the conversation, the United States helped facilitate a partial ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed terrorist organization operating in Lebanon. The ceasefire was viewed as an important step toward reducing hostilities, but the agreement quickly came under strain as Israeli officials accused Hezbollah of violating its terms.

As concerns mounted over the fragile truce, Israel issued fresh warnings to residents in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, urging civilians to evacuate certain areas. Israeli officials said the Israel Defense Forces were preparing additional military operations in response to what they described as continued Hezbollah aggression and security threats.

The growing instability has also complicated diplomatic efforts involving Iran. According to reports, Iranian officials suspended communications with U.S. negotiators, citing Israeli military actions in Lebanon as a major factor behind the breakdown in talks. The development raised new concerns about the potential for broader regional conflict involving multiple countries and armed groups.

Trump’s comments came shortly after an Axios report described an especially heated exchange between the American president and Netanyahu. According to the report, Trump warned the Israeli leader, “You’re f—— crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me.”

The reported remark quickly generated headlines and underscored the seriousness of the disagreement between the two leaders, who have generally maintained a close relationship throughout their years in public office.

Meanwhile, tensions elsewhere in the region continued to intensify. Kuwait issued a strong condemnation following a series of Iranian missile and drone attacks that officials said targeted civilian infrastructure inside the country.

In a statement posted by Kuwait’s foreign ministry, government officials denounced the attacks in unusually forceful language.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Kuwait’s condemnation and denunciation, in the strongest terms, of the brutal and ongoing Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones, the latest of which occurred at dawn today, targeting once again civilian and vital facilities, including Kuwait International Airport, resulting in the death of one individual, injuries to others, and damage to vital facilities, including diplomatic missions,” part of the statement declared, according to a translation of the Arabic-language post on X.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense later reported that a building at Kuwait International Airport sustained damage during the attacks and that multiple individuals were injured. The update was released through an official statement from the Kuwait Army General Staff Headquarters.

The rapidly developing events highlight the increasingly volatile security situation across the Middle East. Ongoing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, deteriorating diplomatic talks involving Iran, and expanding attacks on civilian infrastructure have all contributed to growing concerns about regional stability.

Trump’s disagreement with Netanyahu represents one of the most public signs of friction between the two leaders in recent years and reflects the challenges facing the administration as it attempts to prevent the conflict from expanding into a broader regional war.

Hostilities in the Persian Gulf escalated dramatically on Tuesday after Iran launched a series of missile strikes targeting U.S. military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain, marking the latest escalation in a conflict that has steadily intensified since late February.

The attacks came shortly after U.S. forces carried out a maritime enforcement operation against a vessel linked to Iran in the Persian Gulf. Since the conflict began on February 28, President Donald Trump has ordered a counter-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iranian efforts to restrict maritime traffic through the strategically vital waterway. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, with a significant portion of global energy supplies passing through the narrow channel each day.

As part of the ongoing operation, U.S. forces have intercepted, seized, or redirected dozens of vessels suspected of supporting Iranian activities. American military officials have repeatedly stated that the objective of the operation is to maintain freedom of navigation and prevent Iran from disrupting international commerce.

U.S. Central Command confirmed Tuesday that American forces disabled the Botswana-flagged oil tanker M/T Lexie, which was traveling toward an Iranian port near Kharg Island. According to CENTCOM, the unladen vessel repeatedly ignored warnings and failed to comply with instructions from U.S. forces over a 24-hour period while operating in international waters.

Military officials said multiple attempts were made to communicate with the vessel before force was ultimately used. After repeated warnings went unanswered, a U.S. aircraft struck the ship’s engine room with a Hellfire missile, rendering the tanker incapable of continuing its voyage. Officials emphasized that the strike was designed to disable the vessel rather than sink it, and no crew members were reported injured during the operation.

Shortly after news of the maritime operation emerged, Iran launched missile strikes aimed at U.S. military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. While details regarding the exact number of missiles fired remain limited, regional governments quickly activated emergency response procedures as air defense systems moved into action.

Kuwait’s military announced that it had activated air defenses in response to what officials described as incoming missile and drone threats. The country’s army general staff later reported that explosions heard across parts of Kuwait were the result of successful interceptions carried out by air defense units.

Authorities urged residents to follow safety procedures and remain alert for potential falling debris. Bahrain issued similar warnings, with the interior ministry activating emergency protocols, sounding air raid sirens, and directing residents to seek shelter as a precaution.

Meanwhile, Iranian media outlets, including the Mehr news agency, reported explosions near Qeshm Island, located close to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Local residents reportedly witnessed the blasts, though Iranian officials had not immediately provided details regarding the cause, intended targets, or any resulting damage.

The latest exchange follows a weekend of escalating military action between the two countries. Between May 31 and June 1, U.S. forces struck Iranian radar and drone-related facilities after reports that Iran had downed a U.S. MQ-1 drone. Tehran later claimed responsibility for a retaliatory strike against a U.S.-linked facility that reportedly left multiple people injured.

Despite the ongoing military confrontation, diplomatic communications between Washington and Tehran have continued behind the scenes.

“The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today,” the president posted on social media.

Iranian officials have indicated they are temporarily reassessing proposals under discussion, while negotiations remain focused on Iran’s nuclear activities and the possibility of sanctions relief. During recent congressional testimony, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that any easing of sanctions would require Iran to abandon efforts related to developing nuclear weapons, a position the administration has maintained throughout the conflict.

With missile exchanges now extending across multiple countries in the Gulf region and tensions continuing to rise around the Strait of Hormuz, concerns are growing among regional governments and international observers that the conflict could widen further if diplomatic efforts fail to gain traction in the coming days.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is finding himself in an increasingly difficult position as President Donald Trump’s controversial “Anti-Weaponization Fund” faces mounting legal challenges and growing skepticism from members of his own party.

The South Dakota Republican declined to declare victory Monday after the Department of Justice announced it would comply with a federal court order temporarily blocking payouts from the fund until at least June 12. The decision followed a surprise ruling by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who reopened litigation connected to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns.

While the Justice Department’s announcement appeared to signal a retreat, Thune suggested many Senate Republicans remain unconvinced that the controversy has been resolved.

“The way the statement is worded, I think it’s clear that they’re not proceeding with the fund, but obviously whether that’s sufficient to satisfy a number of our members is something we’re still sorting through,” Thune said.

However, it was a separate exchange that quickly grabbed attention.

When reporters asked whether he was concerned Trump might veto a broader funding package if Congress moved to prohibit the fund entirely, Thune responded with a short but pointed reply.

“Oh yeah, don’t you?”

The comment immediately sparked criticism from some conservatives who interpreted the response as dismissive or mocking toward the president at a particularly sensitive moment for Republicans.

The dispute comes as GOP leaders attempt to keep their conference united while negotiating a massive $70 billion immigration enforcement funding package. Democrats could attempt to force amendment votes targeting the Anti-Weaponization Fund, potentially putting Republicans in the uncomfortable position of choosing between supporting Trump’s priorities and avoiding a politically damaging battle ahead of the midterm elections.

Even some of Trump’s strongest Senate allies have signaled dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the issue.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley argued that the White House needs to provide a much clearer answer.

“It’s pretty clear that the President has to say very explicitly that there’s not going to be a weaponization fund,” Grassley said.

Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy was equally blunt while describing the broader funding negotiations.

“The reconciliation bill looks like a broken arm with the bones sticking out,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy also dismissed suggestions that the Justice Department’s promise to follow the court order should end the controversy.

“Saying you’re going to follow a court order doesn’t tell me anything. You have to follow the court order.”

Last week, Judge Brinkema ordered the administration to halt any efforts to establish or operate the fund pending a June 12 hearing. In response, the Justice Department said it “disagrees strongly” with the ruling but would nevertheless comply.

The department defended the fund, arguing it was created to compensate Americans who were unfairly targeted by government actions.

According to the DOJ, the program was intended to address “the tremendous abuse, harm, and hate unfairly shown to so many people” and would be open to anyone who believed they had been subjected to government weaponization or political persecution, regardless of political affiliation.

Despite that defense, reports indicate the administration may now abandon the initiative altogether. One source familiar with the situation told Axios that the fund is “dead for now.”

Still, ending the fund may not fully eliminate the controversy. Critics argue the settlement included another significant provision reportedly granting Trump, his sons, and Trump-affiliated businesses protection from future IRS audits. Whether those protections would remain in place if the fund is terminated remains unclear.

The White House referred questions about the matter to the Justice Department.

The $1.776 billion fund originated from a settlement connected to Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS after a former government contractor leaked his confidential tax returns. The administration has maintained that the money was intended to compensate victims of government “weaponization” and “lawfare,” phrases Trump has frequently used to describe what he believes was politically motivated targeting of conservatives.

Opponents, however, argue the fund lacks congressional authorization, sufficient oversight, and a clear legal foundation. Several lawsuits have challenged the arrangement, including legal actions brought by government watchdog organizations and law enforcement officers involved in the January 6 Capitol riot response.

For now, Thune remains caught in the middle of a growing political storm. Democrats see an opportunity to deepen divisions within the Republican conference, while many conservatives continue demanding a more definitive answer from the Trump administration. As legal challenges continue and tensions rise on Capitol Hill, the Senate majority leader is left trying to prevent a controversial funding dispute from becoming an even larger headache for Republicans.