The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported on Saturday, citing reports, that US President Donald Trump plans to resume attacks on Iran one day after the US midterm elections, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for a joint attack with Washington.
The official authority stated that reports indicate Trump is planning to resume attacks on Iran just one day after the midterm elections scheduled for early next month. The Trump administration has informed Gulf countries of its preparations to launch a swift and powerful attack on Iran next week, while Gulf states are working to thwart this move.
For its part, the broadcasting authority noted that Qatar is conducting last-minute talks aimed at reaching an agreement to prevent escalating tensions and attempting to achieve a breakthrough between Iran and the United States. Earlier on Saturday, Axios reported that talks were underway in the Qatari capital, Doha, to resume negotiations between Washington and Tehran and avoid a new war between the two countries.
Axios pointed out to differences within the Trump administration regarding dealing with Iran, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio doubt the possibility of reaching a nuclear agreement with Tehran and prefer to exert more military pressure on it. In contrast, Vice President JD Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner support resuming negotiations, while Trump doubts Iran's willingness to agree to an arrangement he finds acceptable.
The website quoted a regional source saying that countries including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia are urging Iran to resume negotiations before the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3. Saudi and Turkish leaders have also urged Trump in recent days to give diplomatic efforts more time, while Netanyahu is pushing to launch a joint military operation against Iran immediately after the elections.
In parallel, Channel 13 reported that the "Israeli army is on maximum alert to resume confrontation with Iran, and the alert level is expected to rise by the end of next week, following the US midterm elections." The channel noted the arrival of US aircraft loaded with weapons and interceptors to Israel and other countries in the Middle East in recent days.
It also spoke of a meeting between "President Trump and senior US military officials, who briefed him on options for launching a large-scale attack on Iran lasting several days." On Friday, the Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv reported that Tel Aviv is monitoring initial signs of extensive US military preparations in the region, paving the way for a potential escalation with Iran.
It pointed out that Washington is retaining large forces in the region despite withdrawing part of them after the ceasefire that followed the war that erupted on February 28 last year, and monitoring movements of US reconnaissance aircraft and military shipments, some of which are likely carrying air defense equipment and logistical support. On February 28, the United States and Israel began attacks on Iran, which responded by targeting Israel and US targets in the region, before reaching a ceasefire agreement last April.
On June 18 last year, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding regarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but its implementation was stalled due to disputes concerning the security of the strait.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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