Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has discussed the possibility of restarting military strikes against Iran with Gadi Eisenkot who has been assigned the task of forming Israel’s next government, according to Israeli media reports.
According to a report that the two met on Thursday, with Netanyahu sharing intelligence related to Iran in an apparent effort to explain the reasons behind a possible renewed military campaign. An informed source told the broadcaster that the information could influence Eisenkot’s assessment of Netanyahu’s intentions.
The report added that Eisenkot was unaware of Mossad chief Roman Gofman’s visit to Washington, where discussions reportedly focused on Iran. It did not clarify whether he had deliberately been kept out of the loop.
The meeting took place following Israel’s October 27 elections in which Netanyahu’s bloc lost its parliamentary majority. Eisenkot has since been tasked with forming a new government and had previously cautioned against unnecessary military action before the political transition was complete.
Israeli military leadership raises timing concerns
Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir supports taking action against Iran but considers the current timing unsuitable.
According to the broadcaster Zamir favours coordination with Washington and believes any operation should take place under appropriate conditions. An unnamed security source said the Israeli military did not currently see an immediate Iranian threat that would require fresh strikes and had warned against becoming involved in a prolonged conflict.
The source also ruled out a renewed war in the coming weeks. Netanyahu’s office had previously rejected a Channel 12 report describing disagreements between the prime minister and Zamir over possible military action.
Mossad chief holds talks in Washington
Meanwhile, Haaretz reported that Gofman met CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Washington and was expected to hold discussions with US envoy Steve Witkoff.
Channel 13 said the Mossad chief was expected to present intelligence concerning Iran’s nuclear programme and long-range missile development, alongside Israeli allegations that Tehran had breached agreements with Washington. No official details of the visit were publicly confirmed by the relevant US or Israeli authorities.
Israeli media reports have also pointed to concerns that Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement that eases pressure on Iran without addressing its nuclear and missile programmes.
Trump administration maintains pressure without renewed war
A separate Washington Post report citing a US official, said President Donald Trump was not interested in restarting the conflict with Iran for the time being.
The report described the administration’s approach as maintaining economic and military pressure without launching another war or pursuing negotiations. Trump had also announced that he was no longer seeking a deal with Tehran and had instructed Vice President JD Vance to focus on other matters.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, rejected the idea that the situation represented a stalemate, saying the administration’s economic pressure was having an impact on Iran.
Iran warns of response to any fresh attack
At a UN Security Council meeting Iran’s Deputy Permanent Representative Gholamhossein Darzi accused the United States of waging an unlawful war against Tehran and violating international law.
Darzi rejected allegations that Iran had abandoned diplomacy insisting that his country remained open to diplomatic engagement. However, he warned that any renewed US or Israeli military action would receive an immediate and decisive response.
The US, meanwhile, accused Iran of threatening maritime security through attacks on commercial shipping and support for armed groups. US envoy Jennifer Locetta urged the Security Council to hold Tehran accountable and called for greater protection of navigation in the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and Red Sea.
The opposing statements at the UN highlighted continuing tensions over regional security, maritime routes and the possibility of a renewed confrontation.
