US Blocked Israeli Plan for Iran Strikes Before Elections, Report Says

Israel's military was preparing a multi-day operation targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, power plants, and regime-linked sites, according to a report by the Financial Times. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had planned to launch the large-scale military campaign in early October. However, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly blocked the plan, fearing it could negatively impact Republican chances in the upcoming U.S. Congressional elections on November 3.

Sources familiar with the operation's plans told the Financial Times that Netanyahu had instructed the Israeli military to prepare a bombing campaign for the weekend of October 10. The operation was intended to be more intense than a previous joint U.S.-Israeli campaign. The plan was ultimately postponed due to Trump's disagreement, though both leaders continued to threaten Tehran with military action.

One source suggested that repeated strikes in the coming weeks remain a "very real scenario," potentially involving both Israel and the U.S. "Either there will be an agreement, or an attack," the source stated, indicating Washington's hope for an agreement addressing Iran's nuclear program and control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli officials reportedly provided their American counterparts with an updated list of targets in Iran based on recent intelligence, including civilian infrastructure not previously struck. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited Israel for talks with Netanyahu and other senior officials, though it remains unclear if U.S. forces were meant to directly participate in the planned October operation.

Another source speculated that the military preparations might have been a pressure tactic during negotiations, with the final decision on renewed hostilities resting with Trump. Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly stated that Iran is in a dire economic and military situation and that U.S. efforts to block Iranian ports are succeeding. She explicitly ruled out U.S. strikes before the midterm elections.

Amidst heightened Israeli military readiness for its own elections on October 27, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered soldiers to remain on bases and suspended leaves until election day to ensure security. Trump publicly supported Netanyahu's re-election and intensified threats against Tehran, suggesting the U.S. might have to confront Iran without Israeli support if Netanyahu lost. Netanyahu, in a video from an Israeli airbase, told Trump they had unfinished business, to which Trump responded with praise and confidence in their partnership.

Some current and former Israeli security officials reportedly fear that a new war launched shortly before elections could undermine the democratic process, as Netanyahu could retain command authority as acting prime minister during coalition formation even if he lost the vote. Netanyahu's office and the IDF declined to comment on the report.