US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed launching a major new operation against Iran ahead of upcoming elections in both countries, the Axios news site reported Tuesday.
The report, citing two US officials and other sources with knowledge of the matter, said the discussions took place before Trump publicly stated that he would not strike Iran before the US midterms. Netanyahu raised Israeli intelligence suggesting that Iran was working to rebuild its nuclear program, including possibly operating the Pickaxe Mountain site for uranium enrichment, according to one source.
A White House official called it “false” that the two leaders discussed resuming the war, claiming that Trump has ruled out attacks before the midterms in November.
Both militaries remain on alert and are finalizing preparations in case Trump changes course, sources said. One US official described Trump’s stance as noncommittal, saying he told Netanyahu to prepare without making a commitment.
According to the report, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the US Central Command leadership are the strongest advocates of renewed strikes, while most advisers favor continued sanctions and economic pressure.
Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reportedly told US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine that fighting within three weeks could force the postponement of Israel’s Oct. 27 vote, given likely Iranian missile retaliation.
Qatari mediators are still awaiting Iran’s response to the latest US counterproposal, the report added.