US and Israel Reportedly Finalize Plans for Renewed Strikes on Iran

The United States and Israeli militaries have developed detailed plans for renewed strikes against Iran following the U.S. midterm elections on November 3, according to U.S. officials familiar with the discussions cited by The New York Times. The planning focuses on a short, intense operation, potentially lasting three days, targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and missile and drone systems.

Both nations have intensified joint training exercises, including flights over Iraq simulating strike scenarios. U.S. Secretary of Defense the US Secretary of Defense discussed these plans with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel this week. The U.S. and Israel were reportedly close to an attack earlier this month, but President Donald Trump decided to postpone it at the last minute. Trump has not yet approved a new operation, while diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with Iran continue.

Iranian officials have threatened a more extensive response to any further attack, including targeting data centers and undersea communication cables. A report in The Financial Times indicated that Netanyahu had pushed for a broad attack on Iran, with the IDF preparing for a multi-day bombing operation in mid-October. This plan was shelved due to U.S. presidential opposition to renewed conflict before the midterm elections.

According to The Financial Times, the operation planned for early October was intended to strike power plants and other civilian infrastructure, alongside nuclear facilities and targets associated with the Iranian regime. These strikes were meant to be more powerful than those conducted by Israel and the U.S. when their joint campaign began in February. Israel had presented the Americans with an updated list of targets based on new intelligence, including previously unhit infrastructure, though it remains unclear if the U.S. would have participated directly.

Meanwhile, Fox News reported that Israeli fighter jets flew towards Iran over Syria and Iraq as part of an exercise on Monday night. Middle East Eye also reported sightings of Israeli fighter jets over southern Syria and later over Iraq's Muthanna province. President Trump had previously stated on October 8 that the U.S. would not attack Iran before the midterm elections, emphasizing productive talks and maintaining sanctions.

Despite the military preparations, it remains uncertain whether these plans will lead to an attack after the elections. Some sources believe renewed strikes are possible in the coming weeks, while others suggest the military preparations are intended to pressure Tehran during negotiations. Iranian officials have warned that a future attack would elicit a broader response, potentially including damage to data centers and undersea cables. Separately, Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir conveyed a U.S. warning to Iran during a visit to Tehran, demanding concessions on the nuclear issue or facing a large-scale attack, possibly targeting nuclear facilities at Fordow.