Israel Discounts War With Iran Before Upcoming Elections

A senior Israeli security official has assessed that a resumption of military conflict with Iran is unlikely before the upcoming Knesset elections on October 27 and the US midterm elections on November 3. The official, however, believes a future military confrontation is "inevitable." Reports indicate progress in efforts to reach understandings between Washington and Tehran. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (Kan 11) cited the official on Tuesday evening, stating, "There will be no escaping a resumption of confrontation in Iran in the future, but it appears this will not happen before the elections in Israel and the US midterm elections." Kan 11 also reported advancements in US-Iranian efforts to forge understandings, while Israel continues military preparations for potential renewed confrontation, without specifying the nature or extent of these understandings.

These assessments follow an unannounced meeting on Monday between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at an Israeli airbase. The meeting, focused on the Iranian file, reportedly included only Israeli and American officials, with aides and advisors excluded due to security concerns. Hegseth arrived on a military transport plane to avoid suspicion, and the meeting concluded around 9 PM Monday. Hegseth's visit was part of a tour of US forces in the region, including CENTCOM.

Meanwhile, Israel is preparing for various scenarios, including a potential Iranian offensive due to mounting pressure. Foreign reports suggest Israeli fighter jets conducted drills near the Iranian border in Iraqi airspace recently, interpreted as a deterrent message to Tehran and a display of Israeli military readiness. Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed Tuesday to possess intelligence indicating Iran and its allies aim to influence the Israeli elections, emphasizing Israel's preparedness for a surprise attack. He stated this intelligence, corroborated by the head of military intelligence, Mossad, the chief of staff, and the defense minister, is not a media stunt but a genuine concern that Iran seeks to exploit perceived Israeli weakness.

The military has announced heightened alert measures for the elections, including restricting soldiers' leave and increasing readiness, though military sources indicated these steps are not based on specific intelligence of an imminent attack. In response to Netanyahu's statements, Defense Minister Katz threatened to occupy and permanently annex additional areas in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh and Litani regions if Hezbollah participates in a potential Iranian attack.