▲ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump (right)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged U.S. President Donald Trump to resume a war with Iran immediately after the U.S. midterm elections, Israel's Channel 12 reported on November 1 (local time).
According to the report, Prime Minister Netanyahu strongly demanded during a phone call with President Trump the previous day that strikes against Iran should be resumed right after the U.S. midterm elections conclude on November 3.
Citing Israeli and U.S. sources familiar with the matter, Channel 12 reported that the two leaders had a sharp exchange regarding ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar.
Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed concern that the ongoing diplomatic negotiations would significantly ease pressure on Iran.
However, President Trump wanted Israel not to interfere in U.S. diplomatic efforts for the time being and wished to give more time to diplomatic negotiations with Iran, the broadcaster added.
Channel 12 added that Qatar, the mediating country, held talks with the Iranian side in Doha for three consecutive days while maintaining direct contact with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, President Trump's key envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.
In response to reporters' questions that day, President Trump said, "We had a good discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding Iran and other matters," but did not mention what was discussed.
The White House and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office declined to comment officially on the report.
While publicly signaling that attacks on Iran could resume, President Trump is also reaching out to Iranian hardliners and seeking a diplomatic solution.
Vice President Vance recently reportedly attempted to contact a hardline security chief of Iran to resume negotiations under President Trump's instruction.
The right-wing ruling Likud party led by Netanyahu won the status of the largest party in the general election held on October 27.
The pro-Netanyahu bloc centered around the Likud party secured 53 seats out of the total 120, leading the anti-Netanyahu Zionist block (48 seats), while the anti-Netanyahu faction entered discussions to form an anti-Netanyahu coalition government by drawing in Arab parties that secured 19 seats.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.