Netanyahu rejects reports of potential escalation with Iran before elections - AP

Investing.com - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has denied reports that Netanyahu clashed with his military chief of staff over an order to conduct a possible escalation with Iran ahead of upcoming elections this week, according to the Associated Press.

In a social media post, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said he can "state unequivocally that there has been no intention by Israel of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections." Katz described reports of strains between political and military leaders in Israel as "completely baseless and false," yet stressed that the country would respond to any further attacks by Iran.

Netanyahu's rivals in Tuesday's vote, including former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, said he had his "eyes" on Netanyahu, warning the prime minister not to "place your own political interests above the security of the state."

While the election is seen by some as Israel's most consequential in years, others have suggested that the country's main policy stances are unlikely to chance regardless of the outcome, according to the Associated Press. Netanyahu and his rivals have similar approaches to Israel's involvement in Gaza and Iran, while the war with Tehran -- now in its eighth month -- has broad backing from Israelis, the AP said.

Worries over a possible renewal in fighting between joint U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran have grown in recent days, buoyed by reports that U.S. President Donald Trump is mulling over strikes after the upcoming American midterm elections in November.

On Sunday, Trump told Fox News that it is "getting to be decision time" on whether he will carry out the fresh bombardments of Iran or make a deal with Tehran. Last week, Trump hinted at another military operation against Iran, prompting the Islamic Republic to threaten their own retaliatory measures.

Also hovering in the background has been an exchange of strikes between Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, which has exacerbated worries over new disruptions to recovering oil flows out of the Middle East.

Still, oil prices retreated on Monday, following reports that Qatari mediators visited Tehran over the weekend in a bid to cool tensions with Washington.

Meanwhile, high-level delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are in Iran to try to avoid a re-escalation of strikes, Iran's Foreign Ministry said.

Original Article

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