Netanyahu urges Trump for fresh strikes on Iran after midterms

Regional conflict in the Middle East intensified on Monday as diplomatic efforts and military planning advanced in parallel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged U.S. President Donald Trump to launch a new series of attacks on Iran following the American midterm elections on Tuesday. Two regional officials and one other person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Netanyahu made this push during a phone conversation over the weekend. Trump did not commit to military action during that call, according to a person briefed on the discussion. The White House did not directly respond to questions about the conversation, and the Israeli government did not immediately comment.

Diplomatic channels remain active despite the military pressure. The same two officials said mediators are working on a framework where Iran would stop attacks in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade of Iranian ports. More talks are scheduled for this week. These officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing classified briefings from American and Israeli officials. Other U.S. allies in the region warned against further strikes, arguing that additional military action would destabilize the area, according to a third regional official.

Tehran countered with a specific timeline. Iran announced it has a two-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks with the United States if Washington meets its demands. This shortens a previous estimate that the plan could be implemented within a week. Ships passing through the reopened strait would follow a route agreed upon by Iran and Oman. Iranian officials also stated that the U.S. must lift sanctions on Iranian oil sales and agree to a ceasefire that includes Lebanon. Esmail Baghaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said the plan remained the basis for negotiations. He added, “This once again demonstrates Iran’s good-faith approach.”

Maritime incidents continued in the strait. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile, leaving a hole in the ship. All crew members were safe, the agency said. Iran has claimed attacks on vessels that took unauthorized routes, while the U.S. military denies claims of naval mines, stating that recognized routes are clear.

In Yemen, fighting displaced more civilians. Houthi rebels accused Saudi Arabia of striking a Red Sea port, setting ships on fire. Earlier on Monday, the Houthi-run health ministry said explosives hit a market in southwestern Yemen, killing seven people, including five children. Eight others were wounded, including five children, according to spokesman Anees al-Asbah. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment. The Saudi-backed Yemeni military reported that a Houthi missile struck a medical center in the Madaribah district of Lahij province, killing at least five people, including three medical personnel. Another attack on a market in the Aqroudh village killed and wounded a total of 26 people, the Human Rights Ministry said.

China stated it would send a special envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November to ease tensions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters the envoy would focus on promoting regional stability. In the occupied 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 residences and confiscated weapons. Hundreds of displaced Palestinians began returning to their homes on Monday as some Israeli forces withdrew.