Netanyahu urges Trump to strike Iran after midterms, sources say

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is urging U.S. President Donald Trump to launch a new wave of strikes on Iran after Tuesday's midterm elections, according to three sources, though Trump has not committed to military action. Netanyahu seeks the strikes partly to help form an emergency government after losing his parliamentary majority last week. Diplomatic efforts are progressing, with Qatari mediators holding two rounds of talks with Iranian officials on a framework for Iran to cease Strait of Hormuz attacks in exchange for lifting the U.S. port blockade. Other U.S. Middle East allies warn strikes would destabilize the region and could escalate attacks by Iran-backed groups. Iran says it is prepared for war or diplomacy, while Gulf nations express concern about the wide gap between U.S. and Iranian positions.