US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have discussed the possibility of launching a major new military operation against Iran before upcoming elections in both countries, according to a report by Axios. The White House, however, has denied that the two leaders discussed restarting the war.
The report, published on October 13 and citing two US officials and other sources familiar with the discussions, said the conversations took place before Trump publicly declared that the United States would not attack Iran before its November midterm elections.
According to Axios, Netanyahu presented Israeli intelligence assessments suggesting that Iran was attempting to rebuild its nuclear capabilities. The discussions reportedly included whether Tehran was using the Pickaxe Mountain facility for uranium enrichment.
A White House official rejected the account that Trump and Netanyahu had discussed resuming the war, describing that claim as false. The administration has maintained that Trump does not intend to launch new attacks before the US midterm elections on November 3.
Military forces remain on alert
Despite Trump’s public position, US and Israeli military forces reportedly remain prepared for the possibility of renewed hostilities.
Sources cited by Axios said preparations were continuing so that operations could begin quickly if Trump changed his mind. One US official reportedly said the president had not made a firm commitment but had told Netanyahu to remain prepared.
The report also described differing views within the Trump administration. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior US Central Command leaders were said to favour renewed military action, while many of Trump’s other advisers preferred maintaining sanctions and economic pressure on Iran rather than reopening a major conflict. These accounts have not been independently confirmed by the White House.
Israeli election could also be affected
The potential timing of renewed fighting has implications for Israel’s domestic politics as well.
According to the report, Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir told US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine that a new conflict within the following three weeks could force Israel to postpone its October 27 election. The concern was that Iranian missile retaliation could create security conditions that would disrupt the vote.
Netanyahu’s government has not publicly confirmed the reported military discussions in detail.
Diplomatic efforts remain unresolved
Meanwhile, Qatar’s mediators are waiting for Iran to respond to the latest US counterproposal aimed at resolving the confrontation, Axios reported.
Negotiations remain complicated by disagreements over Iran’s nuclear programme and wider regional security. Tehran has previously said it was reviewing Washington’s response to its proposals and would communicate its position through intermediaries.
The competing diplomatic and military developments leave the prospect of renewed attacks uncertain. While reports indicate that military preparations continue, no new US decision to launch an operation before the midterm elections has been publicly confirmed.
