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Israeli television channel Kanal 13 reported that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have held intensive discussions in recent weeks about possible attacks on Iran. Citing unnamed senior Israeli security officials, the report said the likelihood of a strike before Israel's October 27 elections is low, and that no final decision has been reached. The officials claimed Netanyahu does not want an attack ahead of the vote.

According to the report, the Israeli military is preparing for three scenarios: a unilateral strike, a joint operation with the United States, or retaliation against a potential Iranian attack. One official said the army is on high alert and that communication between the US and Israeli militaries is "good and clear." The Israeli military also assesses that Washington will sooner or later resume strikes against Iran. Separate Israeli media reports alleged that the US, seeking to avoid reigniting the war, asked Israel to carry out an independent attack — a request reportedly shelved for now.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei responded on the US-based social media platform X to Trump's remarks suggesting Iran might strike an American city. Trump had said, "Let them destroy Los Angeles. Destroy San Diego. That's a very small price to pay." Baghaei called such statements the invention of an imaginary enemy, saying the real danger lies in a government imposing an unlawful war on the world. California Governor Gavin Newsom also reacted to Trump's comments in a post on X.

Key Takeaways

• Israeli media report intensive Trump-Netanyahu talks on Iran strikes, with no final decision taken
• Israeli military preparing for unilateral, joint or retaliatory scenarios and on high alert
• Iran dismisses Trump's Los Angeles, San Diego remarks as an invented threat; California's Newsom responds