developing· Security· Updated 14:44

Netanyahu Planned Iran Strikes, Trump Opposed Them Before US Midterms: Report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to launch extensive military strikes against Iran earlier this month, but U.S. President Donald Trump blocked the move due to the upcoming U.S. midterm elections on November 3. According to a Financial Times report citing anonymous sources, the Israel Defense Forces was prepared to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, regime sites, and civilian infrastructure, such as energy plants, during the weekend of October 10.

3 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 07:47

Plus

Netanyahu Planned Iran Strikes, Trump Opposed Them Before US Midterms: Report — Illustration by baba

Photos · 1

Photos the newsrooms posted about this story, and the ones the IDF and Magen David Adom released.

Official photos are free. 1 more with Plus.

What happened

01Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned extensive military strikes against Iran earlier this month, but U.S. President Donald Trump blocked the plan.
02The Israel Defense Forces was prepared to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, regime sites, and civilian energy infrastructure during the weekend of October 10.
03President Trump opposed the military operation to avoid initiating a new conflict before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3.
04Netanyahu pressured the U.S. president to approve the strikes due to Israeli concerns over recent developments in Iran's nuclear program.
05The planned strikes could be resumed in the coming weeks after the conclusion of both the U.S. and Israeli elections.
06The report follows a secret visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Israel amid stalled negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

Netanyahu reportedly pressured Trump to approve the resumption of military action, citing Israeli concerns over new developments in Iran's nuclear program. However, Trump opposed initiating a new conflict so close to the congressional elections. The planned strikes, which sources said would have been more extensive than previous joint operations, were consequently halted.

It remains unclear whether the United States would have participated in the operation or if Israel would have acted alone. However, military preparations are continuing, and sources suggest the strikes could be resumed in the coming weeks after both the U.S. midterm elections and Israel's own upcoming elections are completed. The report follows a secret visit to Israel by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, amid stalled negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 15:18

Latest report: The Times of Israel. Read The Times of Israel’s original