Netanyahu Presses Trump to Strike Iran After US Midterms

Is the Iran war about to enter a new phase? The Associated Press reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing Donald Trump to authorise another wave of strikes on Iran after Tuesday's midterm elections. Officials say Netanyahu made the case in a weekend call, and Trump did not commit.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the president has not made a decision. Qatari mediators meanwhile are working on a framework under which Iran would stop attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and Washington would lift its blockade of Iranian ports, with more talks planned this week and a Chinese envoy heading to the region.

An AP analysis found Iranian strikes on more than two dozen US bases have caused billions of dollars in damage, while October saw the most attacks on Hormuz shipping since March. A return to full war could also help Netanyahu politically after losing his parliamentary majority, according to the officials quoted in the report.