WASHINGTON KEEPS MILITARY OPTION OPEN AS TRUMP HOLDS TALKS WITH NETANYAHU OVER IRAN

November 1, 2026

US President Donald Trump spoke by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday as Washington continued to assess the possibility of renewed military strikes against Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The conversation came days after Trump met senior military officials at the White House to discuss potential options for resuming military operations against Tehran.

Despite the military preparations being considered, the Trump administration has not announced any decision to launch fresh attacks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said diplomatic communication with Iran remained active through both direct and indirect channels. Speaking after the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Georgia, Rubio said Washington remained open to a diplomatic settlement but declined to specify a deadline for negotiations.

Rubio indicated that any potential agreement would have to address American concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear programme and its support for armed groups across the Middle East. He also accused Tehran of threatening commercial shipping and disrupting maritime trade, warning that instability along regional shipping routes could have wider consequences for international commerce and food security.

Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts have continued through Qatari intermediaries. Iranian officials have acknowledged receiving a communication from US Vice President JD Vance outlining a possible framework for renewed negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described Washington’s diplomatic outreach as a positive step, while security official Mohsen Rezaei said the tone of the American communication represented a significant change in approach. Reports have suggested that direct talks could be considered, although no meeting has been officially confirmed.

At the same time, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that any renewed military action by the United States or Israel would invite a response from Iranian forces. With Washington maintaining military options while diplomatic channels remain open, the possibility of renewed confrontation continues to cast uncertainty over the wider Middle East.