Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned a major new military offensive against Iran earlier this month, but President Donald Trump blocked it over concerns that renewed war could hurt Republicans ahead of the November 3 U.S. midterm elections. The Financial Times reported this on Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the plans.
According to the report, Netanyahu ordered the IDF to prepare a multi-day bombing campaign for the weekend of October 10. The targets were to include Iranian nuclear facilities, power plants and other civilian infrastructure, as well as regime-linked sites. The operation was designed to be more intense than the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign launched in February.
The offensive was shelved, but renewed strikes remain possible. One source said further attacks in the coming weeks could involve both countries. “There will either be a deal or an attack,” the source said, referring to Washington’s efforts to secure an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli officials reportedly handed their American counterparts an updated target list based on new intelligence, including civilian infrastructure previously spared. It remains unclear whether the U.S. was expected to take part in the original operation. Another source suggested the Israeli preparations may have been partly a negotiating tactic to pressure Tehran, noting that any decision to restart the war lies with Trump.
The report comes two days after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel, where he met Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said Iran is in extremely poor economic and military condition. She said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, along with efforts to facilitate Gulf oil exports, is succeeding, and she reiterated that the U.S. will not strike Iran before the midterms.
Trump has endorsed Netanyahu’s reelection and stepped up his threats against Tehran. On Sunday, he suggested Washington might have to confront Iran without Israeli support if Netanyahu lost, while threatening further action unless Iran changed course. In a video released Monday from an Israeli air base, Netanyahu told Trump they had “unfinished business” to complete together. Trump responded by praising Netanyahu and their partnership.
Ahead of Israel’s October 27 election, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered troops to remain on base from Thursday through election day, suspending leave to ensure safe voting.
Current and former Israeli security officials reportedly fear that a war so close to the election could undermine democracy. Even if Netanyahu loses, he could remain caretaker prime minister for weeks during coalition negotiations, with the legal authority to order military action.
Separately, several sources told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday that the Trump administration had come "very close" to approving a strike on Iran at least once in recent weeks. Ynet, citing Iranian officials who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday, reported that Tehran expects that bombing will "resume, sooner or later."
On Tuesday, speaking at the new Kiryat Shmona-Tel Hai University, Netanyahu confirmed that he had discussed the Iranian regime with Trump on Sunday. "We are committed to completing the elimination of the Iranian regime," he said. "I have discussed this with Trump many times, including the day before yesterday." He described the regime as "the head of this venomous octopus" and said that "the elimination of Hezbollah will come in parallel."
