Axios: Netanyahu discussed renewed Iran strikes with Trump last week as U.S. officials cite election timing

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the possibility of launching a major new operation against Iran with U.S. President Donald Trump last week, Axios reported, citing U.S. and Israeli officials and another source familiar with the matter.

According to the report, Netanyahu and Trump discussed a potential joint U.S.-Israeli operation targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites. An Israeli official said Netanyahu raised concerns about what Israel believes are Iranian efforts to rebuild parts of its nuclear program.

U.S. officials told Axios they believe Netanyahu wants to resume major combat operations before Israel's October 27 election. One official said Netanyahu views his position as stronger when serving as a wartime prime minister.

A White House official disputed the report that Trump and Netanyahu discussed resuming the war, calling it "false" and pointing to Trump's statement that the U.S. would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. Netanyahu's office said the prime minister regularly speaks with Trump and senior U.S. officials but does not comment on the content of those conversations.

Axios reported last week that the Pentagon had instructed U.S. Central Command to complete preparations for a possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran, although Trump had not made a final decision.