Iran war will be put away 'one way or the other', Trump says after 'very good talk' with Netanyahu; Rubio says no decision has been made

President Donald Trump said on Sunday 1 November that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran, as senior US officials gave their latest public positions on the conflict ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.

“Just had a very good talk with him; we had a very good talk,” Trump told reporters, according to The Washington Post, which reported that the call took place on Saturday. Trump confirmed that Iran was discussed but gave no further details.

At a campaign rally in Iowa on Sunday, Trump said: “The only reason why I’m not finished with Iran is I want to be nice. I want to try and save all those lives if I can,” adding: “But at some point we’re going to have to give them the hammer,” the Post reported.

In an interview with Right Side Broadcasting Network on Sunday, Trump said: “We’ve had such a victory, and we’ll put it away very soon, one way or the other.” He added: “Either they’ll make a deal, or we’ll just end it,” according to CNBC.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters over the weekend that Trump “hasn’t made a decision.” Rubio said the president had “incredible confidence that if we needed to do something militarily, we would have the ability to do it,” and added: “But we would prefer to do it peacefully,” CNBC reported.

Washington has not said it plans to resume strikes on Iran. The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have reported, citing unnamed sources, that the US is preparing for possible renewed military action after the 3 November vote, according to CNBC.