U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to check on his regional ally, as Washington prepares for the possibility of resuming military operations against Iran, according to people familiar with the conversation.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the call came days after Trump met with senior U.S. military commanders at the White House to discuss options for resuming major combat operations in the region.
The meeting included the commander of U.S. Central Command and several senior military officials, who discussed ways to deal with Iran and related issues.
The newspaper noted that the consultations are part of broader U.S. military preparations, including strengthening the American military presence in the region, as Washington considers its options ahead of any potential action.
Political Pressure on Trump Ahead of Midterm Elections
The developments come as Trump intensifies efforts to mobilize Republican voters ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November 3, amid political pressure over the war in the Middle East, which has contributed to rising fuel prices and negatively affected the Republican Party’s popularity.
Opinion polls indicate that rising gasoline and diesel prices, linked to the U.S. war in the region, have become a political burden for the White House as the elections approach.
Israeli Election Results Add to Political Uncertainty
Meanwhile, the latest Israeli elections produced no clear winner, despite intense competition between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp and the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot.
Netanyahu’s bloc secured 53 seats, compared with 48 seats for Eisenkot’s camp, while Arab parties won 19 of the Knesset’s 120 seats. Neither bloc managed to reach the 61-seat majority required to form a government.
Israel is now facing weeks or potentially months of political negotiations over the formation of a new government, with the possibility of another election if coalition talks fail.
Rising Possibility of Escalation with Iran
At the same time, signs are mounting that the United States is preparing for the possibility of resuming military operations against Iran following the midterm elections.
Reports indicate that U.S. forces have undertaken military preparations, including reinforcing their presence in the region, while Iran has warned that it would respond to any attack targeting its territory.
