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US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have discussed launching a new major military operation against Iran ahead of upcoming elections in the United States and Israel, according to a report by US news outlet Axios.
The report, published on Tuesday, October 13, cited two US officials and several other sources familiar with the matter. It said the discussions took place before Trump publicly stated that the United States would not attack Iran before the US midterm elections.
According to the report, Netanyahu told Trump that Israeli intelligence indicated Iran was trying to rebuild its nuclear programme. The two leaders also discussed whether Iran was using the Pickaxe Mountain facility for uranium enrichment, one source said.
However, a White House official dismissed reports of discussions about resuming the war as “false”, saying Trump had backed away from plans to strike Iran before the November midterm elections.
Citing sources, Axios reported that the US and Israeli militaries remain on alert and are finalising preparations to enable a rapid operation if Trump changes his position. A US official said Trump had not made any firm commitment on the matter but had told Netanyahu to remain prepared.
The report added that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and the leadership of US Central Command have been among the strongest advocates of renewed strikes on Iran. Most of Trump’s advisers, however, favour maintaining sanctions and economic pressure rather than launching another attack.
Meanwhile, Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir reportedly told General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, that if a war began within the next three weeks, Iran’s potential missile attacks could force Israel to postpone its October 27 election.
According to the report, Qatari mediators are still awaiting Iran’s response to the latest US counterproposal.
