Report: Israel Planned Iran Attack, Trump Administration Blocked It

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed to renew attacks on Iran before the US elections, but US President Donald Trump blocked Israel's plans, according to a Financial Times report. Sources cited in the report indicate Netanyahu urged Trump to restart military action, partly out of concern over Iranian nuclear activities. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had prepared a multi-day bombing operation targeting Iranian regime, military, nuclear, and energy sites, scheduled for the weekend of October 10. However, the operation was canceled due to Trump's opposition to launching a military campaign before the US midterm elections on November 3.

The planned operation was reportedly more extensive than the US-Israeli attack in Iran in February. A senior Israeli official stated the operation could have served as leverage against Iran during negotiations, and that resuming hostilities ultimately depended on Trump's decision. Amidst tensions with Iran on the eve of the elections, US Secretary of Defense Pete Haggett made a secret visit to Israel on Monday, meeting with Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and other senior officials. Israeli aides and advisors were reportedly excluded from the meeting for security reasons.

A senior security official told Kan News that resuming operations against Iran in the future would be unavoidable, but it appeared unlikely to happen before the Israeli elections or the US midterms on November 3. Israel is preparing for various scenarios, including the possibility that the Iranian regime might feel pressured and launch an attack against Israel. Foreign reports suggest Israeli fighter jets recently conducted exercises in Iraqi airspace near the Iranian border, likely to signal to Iran that they should not dare attack Israel and that the country's readiness level is at its highest.