US and Israel Deepen Plans for Iran Strikes After Midterm Elections

The United States and Israel have significantly deepened joint military planning for a possible renewed offensive against Iran, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the war planning, reported by ABC News and NPR on 22–23 October 2026. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed the plans during a recent visit to Israel. The operation, described as a short, intense campaign, would target Iran's petrochemical facilities, its nuclear programme including the hardened Pickaxe Mountain site, and its missile and drone production infrastructure. Civilian power plants are reportedly not on the target list. The White House confirmed publicly that no attack will occur before the US midterm elections on 3 November, with spokesperson Anna Kelly stating: 'The United States will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections.' One Israeli source told reporters: 'Hunting season is open as soon as the elections end and it's obvious that they're not going to wait long.' The US and Israel reportedly came close to launching strikes earlier in October but President Trump cancelled the operation at the last minute. Both militaries have been conducting exercises involving aircraft flying over Iraq to rehearse strike manoeuvres. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has previously threatened to widen its response to include data centres and undersea internet cables if struck again. The timing is further complicated by Israel's own Knesset election on 27 October.