Discussed This Matter With Trump: Will Netanyahu Attack Iran Before Israeli Elections?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he spoke with US President Donald Trump on Sunday regarding the "necessity of eliminating the Iranian regime."

In a statement issued by his office, Netanyahu said: "We are committed to completing the elimination of the Iranian regime. I have discussed this matter with Trump multiple times, including two days ago."

He added in a speech at an election rally: "As long as this regime remains, even if it is exhausted and heavily wounded, it remains extremist enough to drive it to rebuild its capabilities and resume what it attempted a year ago when we confronted it, namely producing nuclear weapons and reshaping its regional axis."

In a related context, three Israeli officials stated that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed the Iranian file with Netanyahu during a previously unannounced visit to Israel on Monday.

Netanyahu's spokesperson, Doron Spielman, confirmed to Reuters that the Israeli Prime Minister met with Hegseth at Ovda Air Base in the Negev desert region in southern Israel.

In a brief phone call, he clarified that Netanyahu and Hegseth "discussed threats in the region, and the partnership between the United States and Israel in dealing with those threats, both offensively and defensively."

"Trump's support for Netanyahu was discussed," ahead of the anticipated Israeli elections.

Spielman said: "There is a strong personal relationship that was at the heart of this discussion."

On Sunday, Trump announced his endorsement of Netanyahu in the Knesset elections scheduled for next week in Israel, which are the first elections held there since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) declined to comment on the visit.

Earlier, Hegseth posted on social media platforms that he visited members of the US Armed Forces in the area of responsibility of Central Command, which covers the Middle East, Northeast Africa, and parts of Asia, while not specifying the location of his meeting with the troops.

Hegseth's visit comes amidst escalating tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, and at a time when the Yemeni Houthi group allied with Tehran is intensifying its attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu had previously told Israeli media this month that he does not seek to attack Iran before the Israeli elections scheduled for October 27, and Trump also stated that he would not attack Iran before the midterm congressional elections next November.