TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly pushing for renewed military strikes against Iran and has been holding daily telephone conversations with US President Donald Trump to advance his position, according to a report by the Financial Times.

Citing sources familiar with the discussions, the British newspaper reported that Netanyahu’s efforts to resume military operations against Iran have raised concerns among anti-war circles both inside and outside the White House. These groups are reportedly working to prevent a fresh military confrontation.

The report said several regional leaders are also urging President Trump to avoid further escalation with Iran and prioritise diplomatic negotiations over military action.

Netanyahu’s reported push for renewed strikes has also raised concerns among Arab and Muslim leaders, who fear that another round of attacks could trigger wider instability across the Middle East.

However, another source familiar with the situation in Israel told the Financial Times that although Netanyahu wants renewed military action against Iran, no formal campaign is currently underway to persuade Trump to support the move.

Meanwhile, President Trump said on Monday that Gulf countries do not favour launching a new military operation against Iran.

Following a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and other countries would prefer to maintain the current situation.

According to the Financial Times, Netanyahu is serving as caretaker prime minister following inconclusive elections held in Israel last month. He reportedly supports renewed joint US-Israeli airstrikes aimed at removing Iran’s government from power.

In contrast, Trump has indicated progress towards ending the nearly nine-month-long war with Iran, saying the possibility of fresh US strikes against the country now appears considerably lower.

A diplomat who attended Trump’s meeting with the Qatari prime minister told the Financial Times that both leaders agreed diplomacy should remain the preferred route towards reaching an agreement with Iran.

The report further stated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani have also contacted Trump in recent days.

These regional leaders have urged the US president to give diplomatic efforts with Iran more time and refrain from resuming military operations.

Regional leaders fear that renewed attacks on Iran could prompt a large-scale retaliatory response from Tehran, potentially affecting other Middle Eastern countries and further destabilising the region.

Iran has also warned that it is prepared to retaliate if attacked again, cautioning that the conflict could extend beyond the Middle East.

Meanwhile, mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire and an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran have continued for several weeks. However, significant differences between the two sides remain unresolved.

According to the Financial Times, an interim agreement based on a seven-day proposal presented by Iran in September is also being discussed during negotiations. However, Trump had previously rejected the proposal.

Separately, Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera reported on Monday, citing an informed source, that positive progress had been made on the Iran issue during separate meetings between the Qatari prime minister, President Trump and US Vice President JD Vance.

A diplomatic source said the meetings were aimed at narrowing differences between Washington and Tehran and finding a way forward to advance negotiations.

On the other hand, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, citing an unidentified Iranian official, denied reports that negotiations were underway to release Iran’s $8 billion in frozen assets in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Iranian official, Tehran will negotiate with Washington only on the basis of seven conditions it has presented to the United States. These include ending the naval blockade and unilateral sanctions, releasing Iran’s frozen assets and securing a complete end to the war.

It is worth mentioning that the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28. A memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the fighting was subsequently reached in July. However, hostilities resumed following a breakdown in diplomatic efforts.