Netanyahu pushes Trump for renewed Iran strikes as Gulf leaders urge diplomacy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly calling US President Donald Trump daily to urge renewed military strikes against Iran, according to a Financial Times report citing sources briefed on the discussions. Regional Arab and Muslim leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, are pressing Trump to prioritize diplomacy over escalation, warning that fresh attacks could trigger severe Iranian retaliation targeting their countries. Trump has indicated further US strikes are "quite unlikely," citing "positive momentum" toward ending the conflict. Netanyahu, serving as caretaker prime minister after inconclusive elections, seeks to force Iran's regime collapse, while Tehran threatens to target undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz and regional data centres if attacked. The diplomatic push follows the Republican Party's poor midterm election performance, with war unpopularity and fuel prices key issues.