US President Donald Trump is prioritising diplomatic engagement with Tehran despite pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch military strikes immediately after Tuesday's US midterm elections, according to a US media report.
In a Saturday phone conversation, the Israeli leader pressed Washington to resume military action against Iran shortly after the ballot, but Trump favoured allowing ongoing diplomatic tracks to play out, according to American and Israeli sources familiar with the exchange, Axios reported on Sunday.
Netanyahu is “concerned” about Trump’s approach, according to sources.
The Israeli official characterised the discussion as "tough," while the US source described it as "direct."
Trump told reporters that he spoke with Netanyahu about Iran on Saturday, saying they had a "very good talk."
Previously, the US president said talks with Tehran were progressing well, adding that he is not "in much of a hurry" to resume strikes, though he has previously suggested resuming after November 3.
Diplomatic efforts intensify
Netanyahu’s push for renewed attacks comes amid efforts to revive formal negotiations, following correspondence sent by US Vice President JD Vance to Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, on the potential resumption of formal negotiations.
Meanwhile, Qatari mediators are holding discussions with Iranian representatives to broker a return to direct negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned that an agreement remains pending answers from the US, noting there is no agreement yet.
The White House and the Israeli prime minister's office declined to comment on the report, Axios reported.
