Netanyahu and Mossad Chief Planned Iran Operation Before Election, Report Claims

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad chief Roman Hoffman reportedly developed a plan for a secret operation against Iran shortly before the October 27 parliamentary elections. The operation, however, did not receive approval from other Israeli security leaders, who warned of a potential large-scale military conflict that could delay the vote, according to The Times of Israel. Despite internal opposition, the planning reportedly progressed significantly. The operation's execution was allegedly thwarted by a security breach where sensitive information was accidentally leaked to the United States, prompting Washington to intervene and block any actions. The Prime Minister's office denied the report, stating that Netanyahu had ruled out attacks before the election. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak publicly accused the Prime Minister of seeking a foreign policy maneuver behind the military's back. The report adds to existing accounts of significant disagreements between the political echelon and the military. Two days before the election, the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Eyal Zamir, reportedly opposed military actions concerning Iran, demanding further consultations and written orders. Sources indicated his reluctance to allow external threats to be used for internal political purposes. American observers also noted that military leadership had been blocking the Prime Minister's attempts to strike Iranian targets for weeks. The revelations coincide with international diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the US and Iran. US President Donald Trump confirmed ongoing negotiations with Iran and urged allies to allow diplomacy time, while Jerusalem expressed concerns about a potential weakening of global pressure on Tehran.