Trump confirms 'very good' call With Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump engaged in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, as reported by Axios. The two leaders discussed the state of negotiations with Iran and the potential timing for escalating combat operations against the country. Netanyahu is believed to have urged Trump to launch strikes on Iran immediately following the US midterm elections, while Trump expressed a desire to allow the negotiations to continue.

The call was described as "tough" by an Israeli official and "direct" by an American source. Throughout the ongoing eight-month war, the US President has employed a dual-track approach towards Tehran, combining airstrikes and other attacks with efforts to reach a deal that could restart peace talks and fully open the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump maintained that negotiations were "going fine" and that there were still a few targets to address. He also emphasized that the US was not in a rush to take offensive action, as Iran's military and nuclear program had already been significantly weakened. The Trump-Netanyahu talks came after Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, disclosed a letter from US Vice-President Kamala Harris seeking to revive stalled talks.

In a further indication of mediators' desire to resume negotiations, a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday for discussions with Iranian officials. The US President has faced significant political pressure over the Middle East conflict, with voters furious about rising gas prices and other cost-of-living hikes, potentially affecting the upcoming elections.