Conflict & Security
Netanyahu presses Trump for direct strike on Iran as Washington weighs options
October 31, 2026 at 06:56 PM · Updated 21m ago
Coverage
4 reports · over 2 hours
Netanyahu is pressing Trump to order a direct military strike on Iran after the US midterms, while Washington keeps indirect negotiations in Qatar open.
- Israeli and international media reported that Netanyahu is pressing Trump to launch a wide military operation against Iran after the US midterm elections.
- A senior Israeli military official told Yedioth Ahronoth that Israel remains "one step from war" and a US-Israel strike could come within the first two weeks of November.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there are no plans for talks with US officials and that Tehran sees no current need for negotiations.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump has not yet decided on resuming military action against Iran and gave no timeframe for the Qatar-led talks.
- Israeli reports said Trump's inner circle does not favor military action, with Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth its most enthusiastic proponents.
- At a G20 foreign ministers' meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Iran.


