US and Israel Draft Attack Plans on Iran for After Midterm Elections
The New York Times has reported that the United States and Israel are developing plans for possible military strikes on Iran, with any operation expected to come after the US midterm elections in November.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled to Israel this week and discussed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the possibility of renewed strikes on Iran. According to people familiar with the deliberations, potential targets include Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and its missile and drone arsenal.
President Trump has not yet approved any strike plans. He previously blocked an Israeli proposal for a multi-day offensive against Iran earlier this month and rejected five separate proposals for major operations against Iran or the Houthis in recent months. The last reported US strikes on Iran occurred on September 8, and Trump had earlier ruled out any attack before the midterm elections.
Last week, Trump told Newsmax he was considering military action that could include a strike on Pickaxe Mountain, a deep underground nuclear facility in Iran, amid reports he was weighing the deployment of a GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb — known as the "mother of all bombs."
Some officials argue that an intense but limited campaign could accelerate Iran's economic collapse and make Tehran more open to a deal. Iran, however, has shown little sign of yielding: its leaders reiterated this week they will not negotiate directly with the US unless Washington lifts its naval blockade and releases frozen Iranian funds. IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi warned that even a limited US attack would trigger a "serious energy crisis" for the world.
Israel holds its own election on October 27. The Middle East Forum assessed that a large-scale Israeli strike on Iran, with or without US participation, was probable before the end of the year.
