Trump and Netanyahu reportedly discussed possible joint strikes on Iran ahead of US and Israeli elections, a claim denied by the White House
A renewed military campaign could have significant consequences for both leaders ahead of the Israeli elections on October 27 and the US midterm elections a week later.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump discussed the possibility of launching a major joint operation against Iran before elections in both countries, with Netanyahu raising concerns about Tehran’s efforts to rebuild its nuclear programme, according to an Axios report citing US and Israeli officials and other sources familiar with the matter. A White House official called the report’s claim “false”, adding, “The President has said that we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections. Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister maintained regular contact with Trump and senior US administration officials but did not comment on the content of their conversations. Trump initially appeared inclined to resume attacks but later grew more hesitant, according to the report. A US official said the president had been going back and forth on the issue. He has talked to the president about it a couple times, and the president has said, ‘Well, you know, Bibi, go ahead and get ready. He believes his strength is being a wartime prime minister,” the official said as per the report.
However, the White House disputed the account that Trump and Netanyahu had discussed resuming the war. “Bibi seems to want to go in again. But there’s really no commitment. ‘Go ahead and get ready’ is maybe now, maybe later, maybe never,” Axios quoted the official as saying.
“Bibi’s got an election before the midterms.