Netanyahu Pushed Trump To Restart The Iran War, Axios Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged President Donald Trump, during a phone call, to resume the Iran war. The White House, Axios says, still wants to give diplomacy a chance first.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed US President Donald Trump during a phone conversation to resume the Iran war, the outlet Axios reports.

Netanyahu Pushes For Fresh Strikes

“Sources said Netanyahu is pressuring Trump to strike Iran right after Tuesday’s midterm elections,” Axios wrote. The report suggests Netanyahu sees the days right after the US vote as the right moment to act.

The White House Still Wants Talks First

Trump currently favors giving negotiations more time, according to Axios. An Israeli source said the call between the two leaders grew tense, since Netanyahu finds this cautious approach troubling. A separate American source familiar with the matter called the exchange blunt and direct.

A War Plan Already Sits Ready

Earlier this week, Axios reported that the United States and Israel had already drawn up a plan for a new military operation. That plan could be activated right after the November elections if diplomatic talks break down, reviving the Iran war on short notice.

From A Peace Memo To Renewed Fighting

In mid June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum meant to launch a peace process. Just three weeks later, though, both sides went back to exchanging strikes. They have been trying to calm the situation ever since, even as the Iran war risk lingers in the background.

Hormuz Shipping Nearly Grinds To A Halt

The standoff has almost completely shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for energy exports from the Gulf. That slowdown pushed fuel prices higher around the world.

Tehran’s Offer And Trump’s Rejection

In late September, Iran proposed a seven day plan to reopen the strait in exchange for lifting the naval blockade and export limits. Trump rejected the offer. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the plan’s timeline has since been shortened to just two days, though everything now depends on Washington’s reply. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief has separately said that Washington’s “tone” in talks with Tehran has shifted.