Netanyahu urges Trump to strike Iran after US midterms: Report

US President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about whether and when to intensify military operations against Iran, US media reported on Sunday.

Axios, citing one US and one Israeli official, reported that the two leaders discussed the state of negotiations with Tehran, with Netanyahu urging Trump to launch strikes immediately after the US midterm elections, while the US president favoured allowing diplomacy to continue.

The Israeli official described the call as “tough”, while the US official called it “direct”, according to the report.

Throughout the eight-month war, Trump has pursued both military action and negotiations with Iran, seeking a deal that could pave the way for peace talks and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to vital oil and gas traffic.

On Saturday, Trump told reporters that negotiations with Tehran were “going fine” and said there were still one or two targets to “take care of”.

He also said Washington was in no hurry to launch further offensive operations, arguing that US strikes had already severely damaged Iran’s military and nuclear programme.

Trump has faced mounting domestic pressure over the war, as rising petrol prices and other living costs fuel voter discontent ahead of the US midterm elections.

The economic fallout could pose a challenge for Republicans as voters prepare to decide control of Congress.