Mossad chief reportedly seeks US talks on Iran war

Axios reporter Barak Ravid said Gofman’s meetings were part of an effort to persuade the Trump administration to return to military action. The Jerusalem Post also reported that Gofman was in Washington to discuss the war. Axios said Trump has so far resisted Netanyahu’s appeals, favoring economic pressure and a naval blockade while keeping open the possibility of a negotiated agreement.

Trump said Thursday that he could end the 258-day war “immediately,” but added that the United States was continuing its current approach at the request of countries it sought to protect. He said leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain preferred that course to renewed fighting. In a separate Truth Social post, Trump said, “We don’t need a deal with Iran. Those days have long since passed,” while also saying he had “no hesitation” about using force and that strikes could resume “right now.”

Netanyahu reportedly sought a return to strikes immediately after the US midterm elections, in which exit polls indicated the Iran war played a major role in Republicans losing control of Congress. Israel is also in political turmoil: Netanyahu’s Likud-led far-right bloc lost its parliamentary majority in last month’s election, and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has a mandate to try to form a government. Some opposition figures fear Netanyahu could launch another attack, or provoke an Iranian response, to undermine Eisenkot’s efforts and remain in power. Eisenkot said Friday he had warned Netanyahu against using the political transition to pursue military objectives.

Iranian and international officials say US and Israeli attacks since February 28 have killed thousands of Iranians, including more than 3,500 civilians and at least 380 children, and wounded tens of thousands. Iranian counterattacks have killed more than 20 US troops and dozens of people in Gulf Arab states.