Trump, Netanyahu Review Options on Iran

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed all options for curbing Iran's nuclear program during their meeting on Tuesday, including diplomacy, economic pressure and military action, a senior Israeli official said on Wednesday.

Netanyahu did not tell Trump that Israel favored a military strike against Iran.

Trump has three options, according to the official: reaching a deal, maintaining the blockade and economic pressure or launching a large-scale strike.

He said there were signs that Iran's clerical leadership was coming under mounting pressure from rising inflation and growing public discontent. The potential impact on the global economy and oil markets also had to be taken into account.

Oil prices rose sharply on Wednesday, marking one of their biggest spikes since the war began on 28 February, when Israel and the United States launched joint airstrikes against Iran. Tehran responded by attacking Israel and Gulf states.

Israel did not take part in the latest two-week US bombing campaign. The campaign prompted Tehran to attack US bases earlier this month. Israeli officials nevertheless warned that any attack on their country would trigger a forceful response.

(Reuters, luc)