Tel Aviv (TDI): Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has discussed the possibility of resuming military attacks on Iran with Gadi Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming Israel’s next government, Israeli media reported on Friday.
According to Channel 12, Netanyahu met Eisenkot on Thursday and sought to share intelligence concerning Iran, with an informed source suggesting that the information could influence Eisenkot’s assessment of Netanyahu’s motives for restarting military operations.
The broadcaster also reported that Eisenkot was unaware of Mossad chief Roman Gofman’s visit to Washington to discuss the issue. However, it did not clarify whether he had deliberately been kept uninformed about the visit.
The meeting comes amid political uncertainty in Israel following Netanyahu’s bloc losing its parliamentary majority in the October 27 elections, after which Eisenkot was tasked with forming a new government.
Eisenkot had previously cautioned Netanyahu against launching unnecessary military operations before the formation of the incoming government.
Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir supports military action against Iran but considers the current timing unsuitable.
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Zamir reportedly favours coordinating any potential operation with the United States and ensuring that appropriate conditions are in place before taking military action.
Citing an unnamed security source, KAN said the Israeli military does not perceive an immediate Iranian threat that would necessitate another attack. The source added that the military had warned against entering a prolonged war of attrition and ruled out a resumption of hostilities in the coming weeks.
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Channel 12 had previously reported disagreements between Netanyahu and Zamir over decisions that could trigger another confrontation with Iran. However, Netanyahu’s office denied the report.
Separately, Haaretz reported on Friday that Mossad chief Roman Gofman had met CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Washington and was expected to meet US envoy Steve Witkoff as part of Israel’s efforts to secure American support for renewed military action against Iran.
Channel 13 reported that Gofman would present intelligence concerning Iran’s nuclear programme and development of long-range missiles, alongside Israeli allegations that Tehran had violated agreements with Washington.
Haaretz said neither Israeli nor US authorities had commented on the details of the visit.
Israeli concerns have reportedly intensified over the possibility of Washington and Tehran reaching an agreement that could ease pressure on Iran without adequately addressing its nuclear program and missile capabilities.
The developments have also raised concerns among sections of Israel’s opposition that military decisions taken during the political transition could influence the formation of the next government.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump does not want to resume military confrontation with Iran “for now”, despite maintaining economic and military pressure on Tehran, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing a US official.
According to the report, Trump has received multiple intelligence briefings daily since the midterm elections, with the official saying it had become clear that the president was not interested in restarting the war at this stage.
The administration has reportedly adopted an approach that avoids a new military confrontation, renewed negotiations or a lasting peace agreement, effectively maintaining the existing situation as the conflict enters its eighth month.
