Iran strikes: Benjamin Netanyahu said to press for renewed attacks after US midterm elections

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was pushing for a fresh round of strikes on Iran after Tuesday’s US midterm elections, three people said. Two were regional officials, and one person knew the matter. The move could also help Netanyahu build an emergency government. Netanyahu and far-right allies lost a parliamentary majority in last week’s election.

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US President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals on Iran in recent weeks. Trump has warned of major attacks at times. Trump has also pressed for a deal. The Israeli government did not immediately comment. The White House did not directly answer questions. The questions were about new strikes discussed in a weekend call.

Trump and Netanyahu call on Iran strikes

Netanyahu pressed for strikes during a call over the weekend with Trump, a briefed person said. Trump did not commit to military action during the call. Trump later spoke to reporters on Sunday. Trump said the call the day before was very good. Trump said Iran came up, but gave no details.

One regional official said Netanyahu was working with senior US officials. The aim was to persuade Trump to approve a fast, wide air campaign. The same official said Trump did not appear to have decided. Netanyahu had argued for renewed strikes even before the Israeli vote. Netanyahu was trying to stress security credentials after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack.

Qatar mediators seek Iran deal amid Iran strikes risk

Two regional officials said diplomacy had moved forward in recent days. Qatari mediators held two rounds of talks last week with Iranian officials. The officials said the mediators were pushing a framework. Iran would stop attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. In return, the US would lift its blockade on Iran’s ports.

The same officials said more talks were planned for this week. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity. They said they were discussing classified briefings. The briefings came from American officials, and in one case Israeli officials. Iran wants guarantees the US will follow through. Iranian officials cite past attacks during nuclear talks.

Middle East allies warn Iran strikes could spread conflict

Other US allies in the Middle East were urging caution, a third regional official said. The official said more strikes could destabilise the region. Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen could increase attacks. Targets could include Saudi Arabia and Red Sea shipping. Iran-backed militias in Iraq could also join the fight.

The mood was bleak at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. It is run by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said US and Iranian positions were far apart. Gargash warned that failure to bridge them meant fearing the worst. Gulf states have spent billions to strengthen defences.

US stance on Iran strikes and diplomacy

At a Saturday news conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio avoided predictions. Rubio was asked about possible US strikes and Iranian retaliation. Rubio repeated that the administration preferred diplomacy and talks continued. "He hasnt made a decision,\" Rubio said, referring to Trump. \"Hed prefer to solve it diplomatically,\" Rubio said.

Rubio added that Trump had confidence in military action if needed. Netanyahu had not commented on Iran since the election. There was also no word from Netanyahu’s office on the latest call. Separately, analyst Andreas Krieg wrote on X about the regional split. \"The standoff in the Gulf between the US and Iran is really between Qatar and Israel,\" Krieg said on X.

Krieg added criticism of Israel’s approach. \"Qatar is tirelessly working on a diplomatic offramp with the regions backing while Israel is looking for military ways to throw the region under the bus.\" The remarks came as Qatar continued mediation. Regional officials said the talks aimed to reduce Gulf shipping risks. They tied risks to the Hormuz attacks.

Iran warns on response as Iran strikes hit US bases

Iran has said it was ready for either conflict or talks. The new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, met military chiefs. Khamenei said responses to any US or Israeli threat should be immediate. Khamenei also said there should be no geographic limits. Khamenei urged expanding the list of possible targets.

An Associated Press analysis found wide damage from Iranian strikes. It said Iran hit more than two dozen US bases since the war began. The analysis said equipment damage ran into billions of dollars. Khamenei has not appeared publicly in recent months. Israel and the US killed Khamenei’s father in opening strikes on February 28.

Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, spoke on state television. Rezaei said the tone had completely changed from the US. Rezaei called it a very good sign. Rezaei gave no details about a letter from US Vice President JD Vance. Iran acknowledged the letter last week. Rezaei said no reply had been sent.

Strait of Hormuz pressure and China diplomacy on Iran strikes

October saw the highest Strait of Hormuz ship attacks since March. Iran was trying to raise economic pressure on the US, officials said. The goal was to push Washington to lift its blockade. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty addressed the Bahrain meeting. Abdelatty warned the next escalation would be more dangerous. Abdelatty said it would be more destructive and lead nowhere.

China also stepped up diplomatic messaging on the crisis. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China would send a special envoy. The trip would cover Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November. Chinese President Xi Jinping told Oman’s sultan the Gulf should not become a rivalry arena. China and Oman also called for renewed dialogue.

With inputs from PTI