US President Donald Trump has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal for a joint strike on Iran before the Israeli parliamentary elections, CNN reports, citing two US officials and an Israeli security source.
"Netanyahu really wanted and tried to convince Trump for a joint attack in Iran before the elections, and Trump did not give a green light," the Israeli source said.
One reason Trump declined is because Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Eyal Zamir told US General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, that it would harm the elections in Israel and lead to their postponement, the Israeli security source added.
According to CNN sources, Israel has been preparing for an attack on Iran in recent weeks and has been pushing the issue of such strikes among American officials, but has now postponed the plans and is preparing for joint action with the US, possibly after the midterm elections in the US Congress. They explained that Israel agreed to the postponement in part because it needs US support in missile defense.