Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly urged US President Donald Trump to resume military action against Iran after Tuesday’s midterm elections, as diplomatic efforts continue and a separate nuclear strike allegation draws attention…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Netanyahu wants Washington to launch fresh strikes against Iran immediately after the US midterm elections, amid concerns in Israel that Trump is still giving diplomatic negotiations with Tehran an opportunity, according to a report by Axios.
The Israeli prime minister raised the possibility of renewed military action during a telephone conversation with Trump on Saturday, with the two leaders discussing the progress of negotiations and the prospect of resuming combat operations.
An Israeli source described the conversation as “tough”, while a US source characterised it as “direct”, Axios reported.
Trump subsequently described the call as “very good” when speaking to reporters in Iowa on Sunday, confirming that Iran had been discussed but offering few details.
The US president is pursuing parallel diplomatic and military options, seeking a possible agreement with Tehran while keeping preparations for renewed military action open.
Trump has said he is not in a hurry to launch further attacks, but has also indicated that Washington still has outstanding targets in Iran.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, he referred to one or two sites that the US still needed to deal with, specifically mentioning the underground nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain.
Carlson raises nuclear strike claim
The diplomatic and military tensions have been accompanied by a more alarming claim from US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who alleged that the Trump administration could be days away from authorising a nuclear strike against Iran.
In a lengthy post on X, Carlson claimed that Netanyahu was putting pressure on Trump to attack the suspected underground nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran.
Carlson argued that conventional US weapons would be unable to penetrate the estimated 300 feet of solid granite protecting tunnels at the site, claiming that a nuclear weapon could be the only military option.
He also quoted an unnamed source as saying: “Bibi calls Trump about it every day.”
Carlson suggested that Trump could make a decision on the matter by November 7.
However, his claim about a possible nuclear strike has not been independently verified. Neither the White House nor the Pentagon has confirmed that the use of nuclear weapons is being considered.
Trump’s own recent comments about Pickaxe Mountain referred to dealing with the site quickly, but did not indicate that he was contemplating a nuclear attack.
The facility, which has been identified as a suspected underground nuclear site, has featured in Trump’s comments about potential further US military action against Iran.
Diplomacy continues through Qatar
Despite the military pressure, diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran are continuing through regional intermediaries.
Qatari mediators met Iranian officials for a third consecutive day on Sunday in an effort to facilitate an agreement that could restart direct negotiations between the US and Iran.
US Vice-President JD Vance has also sent a letter to Iran’s national security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, concerning the possibility of resuming negotiations, according to Axios.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no agreement had yet been reached, adding that progress depended on Washington responding to Tehran’s questions.
“We are making every effort in this regard and hope that the other side will demonstrate enough rationality to choose diplomacy over other paths,” Araghchi said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also indicated that no final decision has been taken on resuming strikes.
