Netanyahu urges Trump to strike Iran after US midterms, officials say
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is urging U.S. President Donald Trump to launch new strikes on Iran after Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections, according to regional officials and a person familiar with the matter. A renewed conflict could help Netanyahu form an emergency government after losing his parliamentary majority. Netanyahu pressed for military action during a weekend call with Trump, who did not commit to strikes. Diplomatic efforts are progressing, with Qatari mediators holding talks on a framework for Iran to halt Strait of Hormuz attacks in exchange for lifting the U.S. port blockade. U.S. allies in West Asia warn further strikes could destabilize the region and escalate Houthi and Iraqi militia attacks. Trump prefers a diplomatic solution, while Iran's new supreme leader has ordered immediate, geographically unrestricted responses to any threat.