Trump speaks with Netanyahu as U.S. prepares to restart Iran bombing and weighs options for renewed major combat operations

President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday morning as the United States prepares for the possible resumption of major bombing operations against Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The call came days after Trump met senior U.S. military commanders at the White House to review options for restarting major combat operations in the region.

The discussions are taking place as the U.S. military completes preparations that would allow Trump to order renewed strikes following the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Trump has not publicly announced a final decision on whether to resume the bombing campaign.

The military preparations are unfolding alongside an intensive diplomatic effort aimed at reaching an agreement with Tehran before renewed fighting begins.

Qatari mediators held more than 12 hours of talks in Tehran on Friday and continued consultations in Doha on Saturday, seeking reciprocal U.S. and Iranian steps that could restart negotiations.

Washington is demanding Iranian nuclear concessions, while Tehran has pressed for measures including the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, access to frozen funds and renewed oil exports.

Netanyahu has been pressing Trump for a renewed U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran, while leaders including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have urged Washington to give diplomacy more time.

The Pentagon has been preparing for renewed operations for weeks, with U.S. officials previously saying Central Command had been instructed to ensure forces were ready if Trump ordered another major campaign.

Trump said Friday that Iran “wants to talk” and that Washington still has time for negotiations, leaving diplomacy and renewed military action moving forward in parallel as the midterm elections approach.