Trump and Netanyahu Discussed Joint Attack on Iran Before Israeli Elections

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed "dangerous steps" taken by Iran with US President Donald Trump, amid escalating US and Israeli military preparations for potential operations against Tehran. According to sources cited by Axios, Trump and Netanyahu explored the possibility of a joint attack on Iran before the Israeli elections, while both the American and Israeli militaries recently raised their alert levels.

Sources added that Trump told Netanyahu he should prepare for war, though no final agreement on launching an attack was reached. These developments come as the Pentagon directed US Central Command to complete military preparations for the possibility of resuming major combat operations against Iran, without specifying a date or that Trump had made a final decision, Axios reported on October 7.

The potential operations could include broad strikes targeting Iranian energy, infrastructure, and nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, negotiations between Washington and Tehran have not made significant progress, and Qatari mediation is still awaiting Iran's response to a US proposal concerning its nuclear program.

On October 8, Trump stated he would not launch an attack on Iran before the US midterm elections on November 3, despite the Pentagon's directive to finalize military preparations. Axios noted that US and Israeli officials expressed continued doubts about how close a resumption of war might be, amid concerns of a potential Iranian missile response that could also affect the Israeli elections.

It remains unclear from the published information whether recent talks between Trump and Netanyahu resulted in a change to the stated US position or an agreement on the timing of any potential military operation.