Netanyahu Presses Trump on Iran War Ahead of US Midterms

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly pressuring U.S. President Donald Trump to resume military action against Iran after the upcoming U.S. midterm elections on November 3. The push comes amid Israeli concerns that diplomatic efforts might lead to an agreement that doesn't meet Netanyahu's objectives, which reportedly include a renewed conflict. Trump, however, currently favors allowing negotiations to continue without Israeli interference, though the U.S. stance could shift if diplomatic efforts fail. Netanyahu has consistently framed Iran as an existential threat to Israel and has pledged to work with Trump to neutralize this threat. This pressure campaign coincides with Netanyahu's efforts to form a new government following the October 27 Knesset elections and to prevent the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot from forming a government.

In parallel with political maneuvering, Israel has been engaged in military and security preparations. Israeli officials have held discussions with Gulf states, particularly those involved in the Abraham Accords, regarding potential conflict with Iran. Senior Israeli military officials also met with their counterparts in U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to coordinate security and military efforts. The Israeli military has reportedly completed preparations for offensive operations and enhanced defensive measures, awaiting political directives. Some Israeli assessments suggest Trump might order renewed strikes within days, despite ongoing negotiations. A senior Israeli official noted that the final decision rests with Trump, whose team reportedly holds differing views on how to handle Iran. Dozens of U.S. transport and refueling aircraft have recently arrived in the region, including at Israeli air bases Ovda and Nevatim.

Despite military readiness, diplomatic channels remain active, with Qatar, Pakistan, and Russia involved, alongside pressure from Gulf states to avert renewed conflict. A diplomatic source indicated that talks have progressed, though gaps remain, and the Iranian delegation is still in Doha. Qatar is playing a key role in mediation, with Qatari mediators engaging Iranian officials for the third consecutive day on Sunday in an effort to reach an understanding that could lead to direct U.S.-Iran negotiations and prevent post-election confrontation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that no agreement has been reached yet, with progress dependent on U.S. responses to Tehran's questions. He expressed hope that the U.S. would choose the diplomatic path.

Iran has warned that any new confrontation could be longer than the previous war, asserting that the U.S. would not be able to dictate its duration or terms. Iranian Army Spokesman Mohammad Akrami Nia echoed this sentiment, stating that a future war could be protracted and that the U.S. would not determine its end or settlement terms. President Trump previously remarked that the U.S. had destroyed a significant portion of Iran's nuclear capabilities but noted that one or two sites still needed to be addressed, leaving the possibility of new strikes open.

Israeli military assessments, however, question the efficacy of a swift war, suggesting it might not achieve its objectives. These assessments reflect a divergence between preparing for potential military operations and skepticism about the outcomes of a short campaign, amidst ongoing diplomacy and an undecided U.S. decision. In response to potential scenarios, Israel's Ministry of Education updated its emergency guidelines for educational institutions on Sunday, reviewing protection measures and emergency plans. The ministry stressed that this update is part of a continuous preparedness process and does not indicate new security developments, assuring the public that educational activities would continue as normal.