Netanyahu Urged Trump on Iran Strike Before Elections?

The Cliff News | 14 October 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly discussed the possibility of a significant joint military operation against Iran with then-US President Donald Trump. The discussions, which occurred last week, were prompted by Netanyahu's concerns over intelligence indicating Tehran's renewed efforts to advance its nuclear program. This revelation comes from an Axios report, citing unnamed US and Israeli officials and individuals privy to the matter.

The alleged conversations took place shortly before Trump publicly stated his intention not to launch strikes against Iran in the period leading up to the US midterm elections. According to the report, Netanyahu held multiple calls with Trump over the preceding two weeks, advocating for a resumption of major combat operations against Iran.

Concerns Over Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, stated that Netanyahu conveyed his deep unease to Trump regarding Israeli intelligence assessments. These assessments suggested Iran was taking "troubling steps" toward reconstituting its nuclear program. A particular point of concern for Israel is the potential for Iran to utilize "Pickaxe Mountain" as a uranium enrichment site.

The Axios report indicated that the two leaders explored the feasibility of a combined US-Israeli operation targeting Iranian military and nuclear installations. However, the White House has vehemently disputed this account. A White House official characterized the report's claims as "false," reiterating that the President had previously affirmed the US would not attack Iran before the midterm elections.

Netanyahu's office acknowledged that the Prime Minister maintains regular contact with President Trump and senior US administration officials. Nevertheless, they declined to offer specific comments on the content of these conversations.

Trump's Shifting Stance

The report suggests that President Trump initially showed an inclination towards resuming attacks but later exhibited increased hesitation. A US official described the President's position as being "back and forth on the issue."

"Bibi seems to want to go in again. He has talked to the president about it a couple times, and the president has said, 'Well, you know, Bibi, go ahead and get ready.' But there's really no commitment. 'Go ahead and get ready' is maybe now, maybe later, maybe never,"

a US official was quoted as saying in the Axios report.

Internal US Divisions on Iran Strategy

Within the Trump administration, US defense secretary Pete Hegseth and the leadership of US Central Command were identified as the most vocal proponents of renewed strikes. In contrast, most of Trump's advisors reportedly favored a continued strategy of economic sanctions and other forms of pressure.

"They claim this economic choking is working better and better. Let's keep it up,"

a second US official commented.

Senior members of Trump's cabinet reportedly convened for extended discussions at Camp David on October 2nd. These meetings focused on strategizing the next steps in the ongoing conflict and assessing the possibility of resuming military strikes.

Despite the apparent indecision regarding a military offensive, both the Israeli and US militaries are reportedly maintaining a state of alert. They are continuing to finalize preparations to ensure readiness should President Trump alter his position, according to sources cited by Axios.

Election Risks and Political Calculations

The prospect of a renewed military campaign carried significant implications for both leaders, particularly in light of the upcoming Israeli elections on October 27th and the US midterm elections a week later. Such an offensive could provoke retaliation from Iran, potentially involving the launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles toward Israel, which could disrupt the election process.

Last week, Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir reportedly conferred with US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine about the potential for a resumption of full-scale hostilities against Iran within the next three weeks. Zamir is said to have expressed concerns that an escalation within this timeframe could lead to a postponement of the Israeli elections due to anticipated Iranian retaliation.

The report also highlighted concerns that a pre-election strike could be perceived as a politically motivated maneuver by Prime Minister Netanyahu. This perception could potentially erode public trust in the Israeli military, which is generally regarded as an apolitical institution.

One US official suggested the White House was cognizant of Netanyahu's domestic political considerations. "Bibi's got an election before the midterms. He believes his strength is being a wartime prime minister,"

the official was quoted as saying.

 

However, an Israeli official offered a different perspective to Axios, asserting that Netanyahu had informed his security and intelligence chiefs that President Trump, rather than Netanyahu himself, had initiated the discussion regarding a potential strike before the elections. According to this account, Trump had inquired whether Israel would participate in such an operation.