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FT: Netanyahu pushing the US to bomb Iran before elections

Oct 21, 2026, 6:46pm EDT
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Israeli prime minister Netanyahu
Amir Cohen/Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing US President Donald Trump to resume strikes against Iran, as both leaders contend with worrying polls ahead of critical elections.

Netanyahu, who is trailing in polls, was preparing to bomb Iranian civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities earlier this month, the Financial Times reported. But Trump, whose approval rating has slumped to all-time lows as Americans struggle with surging fuel prices, ruled out the plan until after US midterm elections on Nov. 3.

Iranian officials told Drop Site they believe the US and Israel could resume large-scale bombing before Israeli elections Tuesday. Washington must accept that “it has no military options,” Iran’s foreign minister warned, or prepare for an “infinitely more painful outcome.”

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