Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly speaking to US President Donald Trump almost every day, urging him to restart military action against Iran. At the same time, Trump appears to be considering a diplomatic way to bring the conflict to an end.
According to a report based on an assessment by the Financial Times, Netanyahu has repeatedly asked Trump to resume strikes on Tehran.
“Netanyahu calls him every day [to urge him to resume the war]. Those who don’t want a war within the White House and outside have been trying to combat that,” a person familiar with the discussions told the Financial Times.
Pressure For More Strikes
Netanyahu’s push comes while the United States continues limited military operations against Iran. US missiles reportedly hit Qeshm Island on November 3 and again on November 6.
Trump did not directly confirm the November 6 strike on Qeshm Island, but he spoke about another military operation, as reported by The New Indian Express.
“We do minor strikes, but they knock out. They built a little bit of an anti-aircraft device, and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five,” Trump told reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The Israeli leader’s calls for stronger action have increased after a political shift in the United States. The ongoing war has become a major issue following the ruling party’s loss of its legislative majority in the midterm elections.
Netanyahu is also facing political trouble at home. Israel’s recent national election ended without a clear result, and the Likud leader has not been able to form a new government.
Diplomatic records show that Netanyahu and Trump spoke last week about their shared approach toward Iran. US administration officials described the conversation to Axios as “frank.”
White House officials told Axios that Netanyahu encouraged Trump to launch military strikes soon after the midterm results. However, the administration chose to let diplomatic negotiations continue.
Trump Leans Toward Diplomacy
Trump has suggested that major new strikes on Iran may not be needed.
“Iran militarily is effectively over,” Trump told reporters at a White House briefing on Monday. “We’re just keeping it the status quo.”
His comments came after a private meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed. The two discussed a draft proposal aimed at resolving the conflict.
Under the proposed deal, Iran has offered to guarantee the safe movement of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. In return, Washington would lift its naval embargo on Iranian ports.
Iran has also asked the United States to return frozen foreign reserves and formally restart talks on a final agreement over its nuclear programme.
According to the Financial Times, Qatar’s leader was one of several Arab heads of state who urged the White House to keep talking rather than launch new attacks on Iran.
Other leaders involved in the diplomatic effort included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyah, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
