Report: Netanyahu pressed Trump to renew Iran strikes before Israeli vote
According to Axios and Israel's Channel 12, the two leaders discussed a new military campaign. Trump reportedly told Israel to get ready but made no commitment. Both sides deny.
Archive image · Photo: Dan Scavino / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump last week about renewed strikes on Iran before the Oct. 27 Knesset election, Axios and Israel's Channel 12 reported, citing unnamed sources. Iran's nuclear and military sites could be targeted, the sources said. Trump reportedly told Netanyahu to get ready but made no firm commitment. An Israeli official said Trump initially seemed willing and later grew hesitant. Channel 12 said military chief Eyal Zamir warned renewed fighting could lead to the election being postponed.
Netanyahu's office denied he was seeking a war before the election but did not address the content of the talks. A White House official denied the leaders had discussed resuming the war, saying Trump has stated the U.S. will not attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Trump also told reporters on Tuesday a decision on Iran would come "very soon" and called it "a failed country."