Israeli Military Chief Sees No Need to Strike Iran Before Elections

Five days before Israeli elections, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated in closed discussions that there is no perceived need to attack Iran before the upcoming vote. Zamir indicated that if an attack were deemed necessary, it would proceed regardless of the election timing. Currently, security forces have not identified any specific threats across any fronts, and Zamir has instructed IDF commanders to facilitate as quiet an election period as possible.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, now chairman of "Yashar," echoed this sentiment, stating in a television interview that there is no immediate threat from Iran necessitating a pre-election war. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that Iran is attempting to manipulate oil prices ahead of U.S. midterm elections by fabricating attacks and mine incidents, asserting that more oil is currently flowing through the Strait of Hormuz than before the recent escalation.

Trump reiterated his stance that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons and condemned the regime for its violent suppression of protesters, claiming 75,000 demonstrators have been killed in less than seven months. He expressed hope that the American public and the world would recognize the regime's wickedness, criticizing the Democratic Party for its apparent indifference.

American sources told The New York Times that the U.S. and Israel have developed specific plans for renewed strikes against Iran post-U.S. midterm elections. Trump also told NewsNation that the U.S. is not negotiating with Iran and that "something will happen in the very near future."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at an officer's course ceremony, stated that the Iranian regime has not learned its lesson and is attempting to develop nuclear bombs again. He instructed the IDF, Mossad, and security agencies to focus on overthrowing the Iranian regime as the only way to permanently remove the threat. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that enemies, particularly Iran and its proxies, are attempting to carry out attacks to influence election results. He noted that Iran is at its weakest point, which could lead to extreme actions, and vowed that Iran would be engulfed in flames if it attacked Israel. Katz also stated that Hezbollah would face severe consequences if it joined Iran in attacking Israel, emphasizing that Israel would not retreat from its security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Israel had planned an attack on Iran on October 10, but was reportedly halted by President Trump. The report suggested the IDF had prepared for a multi-day assault on nuclear facilities, government targets, and civilian infrastructure like power plants.