Trump resists Netanyahu’s push for fresh Iran strikes

US President Donald Trump is favouring diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions with Iran despite pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume military strikes shortly after the November 3 US midterm elections, according to a report by Axios.

During a telephone conversation on Saturday, Netanyahu reportedly urged Trump to restart military operations against Iran following the elections. However, the US president appeared more inclined to give ongoing diplomatic initiatives an opportunity to succeed.

Sources familiar with the discussion said Netanyahu was concerned about Trump’s approach. An Israeli source described the conversation as “tough”, while a US source characterised it as “direct”.

Trump confirmed on Sunday that he had spoken with Netanyahu, describing their conversation as “a very good talk”. He acknowledged that Iran was among the topics discussed but did not disclose further details.

The US president also indicated that negotiations with Tehran were making progress. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said discussions were going well and stressed that he was not in a hurry to resume military strikes.

The diplomatic efforts have gained momentum following correspondence reportedly sent by US Vice President JD Vance to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, regarding the possibility of restarting formal negotiations.

Meanwhile, Qatari mediators are holding discussions with Iranian officials to facilitate a return to direct talks between Washington and Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, however, said no agreement had been reached so far. He added that Tehran was waiting for Washington to respond to outstanding issues before negotiations could move forward.

The White House and Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on the reported conversation, Axios said.

A vessel was reportedly struck by an unidentified projectile in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, prompting a warning from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre.

In a security advisory, UKMTO said the master of a merchant vessel had reported receiving a Mayday distress call over VHF Channel 16. The distress call indicated that another vessel had been hit by an unknown projectile.

According to the agency, the incident was reported at 8:09pm Pakistan Standard Time on November 1.

UKMTO did not disclose the identity or nationality of the affected vessel. It also provided no information about possible casualties, the extent of the damage or the origin of the projectile.

The maritime agency advised vessels operating in the area to exercise caution while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

It also urged ships to report any suspicious activity as investigations into the reported incident continue.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime shipping routes, serving as a major passage for global oil and energy supplies. Any security incident in the waterway raises concerns about commercial shipping and regional stability.