Netanyahu Reportedly Pushed Trump to Strike Iran Before the Countries’ Elections. He Said Not Now.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed President Donald Trump to launch strikes against Iran before the countries' elections, but he has chosen to delay any action for now, according to a new report.

"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," an Israeli source told CNN.

Trump has not made reference to the alleged requests, but did say on Sunday that he is near deciding whether to make a deal with Tehran or "finish it off." "Do I finish it off, which would be very easy to do, or do I make a deal? It's getting to be decision time," he told Fox News.

CNN also detailed that the U.S. has already amassed enough forces in the region to launch major military operations against Tehran within 96 hours of getting the green light.

Netanyahu has been under the spotlight over potential actions seeking escalation before the elections on October 27. Another report claimed that Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir resisted orders to carry out such actions.

Local outlet Channel 12 described the situation as an "unprecedented confrontation" that has been unfolding over the past days. Citing anonymous military sources, it added that Zamir sought signed documents showing legal authorization for the action.

"This relates to an action that could lead to a flare-up with Iran, at a sensitive and dramatic moment, creating this [potential] miscalculation," the source told the outlet. Another person familiar with the matter said the order raised the concern that Netanyahu was using "the Iranian issue for political benefit."

"History will not forget the role that Zamir has played in recent days," a senior security source said when describing the exchanges.

Netanyahu rejected the report. Speaking to government-friendly Channel 14, he called it "nonsense" and said there was "no fight" with Zamir.

However, opposition leaders came out to criticize Netanyahu, warning him not to take actions that could destabilize the country's elections.

"Netanyahu, my eyes are set on you. Me man under whose watch unfolded the worst catastrophe in the country's history, refuses to understand that Israeli's security is not a political toy, that the lives of Israeli citizens and IDF solders are not disposable, and the State of Israel is not his private property," said Netanyahu's top contender in the elections, Gadi Eisenkot.

"In two days, Israeli's citizens will end the government of irresponsibility and restore responsibility, a sense of State and the security of Israel. I promise," he addded.