Israel, US Reportedly Planning Joint Strike on Iran Post-Midterms

Israel and the United States are reportedly preparing for the possibility of renewed strikes against Iran following the US midterm elections on November 3. According to a "New York Times" report, the militaries of both nations have developed detailed plans for a short, intense operation that could last about three days. The potential strikes would target Iran's nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and missile and drone systems.

US Secretary of Defense the US Secretary of Defense discussed these plans with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel this week. However, US President Donald 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, potentially targeting data centers and underwater communication cables.

According to a previous "Financial Times" report, Netanyahu had pushed for a broad attack on Iran, with the IDF preparing for a multi-day bombing operation around October 10. This plan was not executed because Trump opposed resuming hostilities before the midterm elections. The planned operation included targeting power stations and civilian infrastructure alongside nuclear facilities and regime-identified targets. Israel had also presented the Americans with an updated list of targets based on new intelligence, though it was unclear if the US would participate directly.

In parallel, Fox News reported that Israeli fighter jets flew east over Syria and Iraq as part of an exercise held between Monday and Tuesday night. The "Middle East Eye" also reported, citing local sources, the sighting of Israeli aircraft over southern Syria and later over the southern Iraqi province of Al-Muthanna.

Amidst the military preparations, economic pressure on Tehran is intensifying. A "Wall Street Journal" report indicates that Iran's floating oil reserves have been depleted. For months, Iran managed to continue selling oil to China using tankers anchored in Asian waters, but the maritime blockade is now expected to further strain its revenues. These reports emerge against the backdrop of Trump's October 8 statement that the US would not attack Iran before the elections, though the blockade would remain in effect.