Trump Weighs New Iran Strikes After Netanyahu Talks

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is considering renewed military action against Iran after discussing possible operations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior US military officials. On Sunday, November 1, 2026, Trump said American forces could quickly target remaining Iranian nuclear facilities, while diplomatic negotiations continued ahead of the November 3 congressional midterm elections.

Trump identified one or two remaining nuclear facilities, including Pickaxe Mountain, as potential targets. His remarks came amid increased military preparations by the United States and Israel, although the White House has not announced a decision to resume strikes.

Trump described the remaining military objectives and the speed at which American forces could carry out an operation.

"There are 'one or two sites' left that need to be dealt with, including Pickaxe Mountain. We can do it in ten minutes. We have a plan for it, and we can execute it very quickly," Trump said.

He also addressed the possibility of reaching a diplomatic agreement with Tehran, expressing doubts about Iran's willingness to honor negotiated commitments.

"They want to reach an agreement, and we will see what happens. Things are moving along fine, but they are not really reliable. They reach an agreement and then back out. They want to reach an agreement, and we will see if they actually sign it," Trump said.

Before speaking with Netanyahu, Trump discussed military options with CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, according to Yahoo's report citing the Wall Street Journal.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the president had not committed to renewed military action. Rubio said Trump could have ordered another operation weeks or months earlier if he had wanted to pursue that option, while emphasizing that American forces retained the capabilities necessary for a successful mission.

The Pentagon has reinforced air defense systems, ammunition and military equipment across the Middle East in recent weeks. American forces have also been repositioned away from bases considered vulnerable to potential Iranian retaliation.

According to KAN News, ten US Air Force transport aircraft arrived at Israeli Air Force bases in southern Israel during the previous week. The aircraft originated from Fort Bliss in Texas and were believed to be carrying air defense equipment.

Additional aircraft landed in Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. KAN also reported that the United States had transferred another Patriot air defense system to the region. An Israeli source told the outlet that Washington and Jerusalem were coordinating closely on Iran, with another US aircraft carrier and Marine unit potentially joining regional forces.

Military preparations have coincided with political pressure on the Trump administration. Rising American fuel prices and dissatisfaction with the Iran conflict have become concerns for Republicans ahead of the November 3 elections. Defense officials assess that a new US operation is unlikely before voting unless intelligence indicates preparations for a surprise Iranian attack.

Republican Representative Pat Harrigan of North Carolina, a member of the House Armed Services Committee seeking reelection in the state's 10th Congressional District, criticized the administration's handling of the conflict.

"continuing to do just enough not to lose, but not enough to win, is not OK," Harrigan said.

He described growing frustration among Americans over the conflict's duration and questioned the administration's ability to deliver a timely outcome.

"I share my constituents and many Americans' perspective that I'm very, very frustrated that this war is not over. The way that ultimately this administration went about conducting the war, it needed to execute it and wrap it up in a very short period of time, and we are not there yet," Harrigan said.

Despite his criticism, Harrigan maintained that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remained essential. He also argued that the administration responsible for initiating military action must take responsibility for its outcome.

"That being said, Iran can't have a nuclear weapon. And so at the end of the day, I do believe that this was a war that was inevitable at some point, but the party that's in power and the administration that decided to pull the trigger on it is responsible for the outcome, and they're responsible for the outcome in a very short period of time. Otherwise, things get really, really difficult. And I think we've been seeing that, both from a political perspective but also from a policy perspective," Harrigan said.

He further called for the administration to maintain its stated military objectives and make a clear decision about ending the conflict.

"And so while the administration needs to wrap this up, we are not in a forever war, but we need to make sure that we're not... we keep the mission the same. We accomplish the mission. And we do what it takes to either win or come home. And that binary decision has to get made by this administration," Harrigan said.

Vice President JD Vance also addressed concerns about the conflict during a Fox News town hall on Thursday, promising that the administration would avoid an open-ended military engagement.

"Donald Trump is not going to let Iran become a forever war," Vance said.

Meanwhile, Iran has combined diplomatic engagement with warnings of retaliation. National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan had taken strong positions against Israel during a four-country meeting in Tehran on October 26.

The meeting brought together Rezaei, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin and Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. Rezaei said the three visiting officials had requested the meeting and supported continued discussions on regional security.

Rezaei described the Saudi defense minister's warning about potential Israeli military expansion during an interview with Iranian state television.

"Prince Khalid said that after you, Israel will go after Turkey, and then it will come after us, Saudi Arabia," Rezaei said.

He also characterized the discussions as strongly critical of Israel's regional policies.

"They spoke so firmly against Israel," Rezaei said.

Rezaei separately described comments made by Pakistan's military leadership concerning regional security and relations involving India, Israel and Pakistan.

"the Israeli threat and the ties being formed between Hindus and Jews against Muslims and against Pakistan," Rezaei said, describing Munir's remarks.

Rezaei said the four countries had agreed to continue consultations, potentially including visits to Iran by their foreign ministers.

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has also instructed military commanders to prepare for an immediate and powerful response to another attack, according to an announcement published in Tehran. Iranian Chief of Staff General Ali Abdollahi warned that the country had expanded its potential target list and would determine when any renewed conflict ended.

Earlier military preparations included a practice flight by dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets toward the Iranian border approximately two weeks before the latest developments, according to an Axios report citing American and Israeli officials.

Although Washington and Jerusalem continue preparing military options, diplomatic contacts with Tehran remain active. The immediate question for the Trump administration is whether negotiations can produce an agreement before the political and military circumstances surrounding the conflict change.