Netanyahu Urges Trump for New Iran Strikes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Trump administration to launch a new series of strikes against Iran. Two regional officials and one other source familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that the push is for action to follow the U.S. midterm elections scheduled for Tuesday.

The request came during a phone call between Netanyahu and President Donald Trump over the weekend. A person briefed on the conversation said Trump did not commit to military action during the talk. The White House did not directly answer questions about the discussion, and the Israeli government did not immediately comment.

Diplomatic channels are also active. The same two officials said mediators are working to create a framework where Iran stops attacks in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade of Iranian ports. Additional talks are planned for this week. The officials spoke anonymously because they were discussing classified briefings from American and Israeli leaders.

Other U.S. allies in the region are warning against new strikes. A third regional official said they fear further military action would destabilize the area. Trump has alternated between threatening major blows and seeking a deal with Iran.

In Tehran, officials announced a two-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks with the United States. This timeline is shorter than the one week Iran previously suggested for implementing the plan if Washington met seven conditions. Those conditions include lifting the port blockade, removing sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and agreeing to a ceasefire that includes Lebanon.

Esmail Baghaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said the plan remains the basis for negotiations through mediators. He stated, “This once again demonstrates Iran’s good-faith approach.” Ships passing through the reopened strait would need to follow a route agreed upon by Iran and Oman.

A vessel transiting the strait was hit by an unknown projectile on Monday, leaving a hole in the hull, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. All crew members were safe. Iran has claimed attacks on ships that took unauthorized routes, while the U.S. military denies that naval mines were laid, saying it has cleared all internationally recognized routes.

Conflict in Yemen intensified on Monday. Houthi rebels accused Saudi Arabia of striking a port on the Red Sea coast, setting ships on fire. The Houthi-run health ministry reported that explosives hit a market in southwestern Yemen, killing seven people including five children. Eight others were wounded, including five children. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment, and The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims.

The Saudi-backed Yemeni military said a Houthi missile struck a medical center in the Madaribah district of Lahij province. At least five people died, including three medical staff, and 15 others were wounded. Another Houthi attack on a market in Aqroudh village killed and wounded a total of 26 people. The ongoing battles have worsened the humanitarian situation and forced many to flee.

China announced it will send a special envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November. Mao Ning, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said the envoy will focus on easing tensions. In the West Bank, the Israeli military ended an operation in Hebron that began last month after two Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers. The military demolished the gunmen's homes and confiscated weapons. Hundreds of displaced Palestinians began returning to their homes as some Israeli forces withdrew.