Israel Pushed for Iran Strike Last Weekend, Trump Opposed

Israeli officials attempted to advance an attack on Iran over the past weekend but faced American opposition, CNN reported Monday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been pushing for the action before the recent elections, but President Donald Trump did not approve it. One reason cited for the opposition was a conversation between Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during which Zamir indicated such an attack could interfere with election integrity. Despite the current opposition, the report suggests that a joint operation at a later date is being considered.

Meanwhile, CNN also reported that the U.S. military has completed its preparations in the Middle East for a potential large-scale attack against Iran, which could be executed within 96 hours of presidential approval. Two U.S. officials stated that the necessary forces are already in the region and that President Trump is weighing his next steps, though no final decision has been made. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command are preparing for a scenario involving strikes on energy, military, and nuclear sites in Iran. Sources involved in the planning estimate such an operation could occur by year's end, likely after the U.S. midterm elections, but emphasized that Trump's stance could change. The White House declined to comment on the report.