Netanyahu wanted fresh Iran strikes, Trump said no attack before midterms: Report

The proposed October 10 operation was reportedly expected to be more intense than February's joint US-Israeli strikes, with Israel drawing up new targets.

In Short

• Netanyahu planned fresh strikes on Iran targeting nuclear, civilian sites
• Report says IDF prepared intense strikes over October 10 weekend
• Trump opposed attacks on Iran before November 3 midterm elections

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to launch fresh strikes against Iran earlier this month, targeting nuclear facilities, regime-linked sites and civilian infrastructure, but US President Donald Trump opposed restarting the conflict ahead of the American midterm elections, the Financial Times reported.

Three people familiar with the matter told the UK newspaper that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) were prepared to carry out the operation over the weekend of October 10. The proposed strikes were reportedly expected to be more intense than the joint US-Israeli attacks in February.

Trump, however, decided against resuming hostilities before the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3, according to the sources. It remains unclear whether Washington would have directly participated in the proposed operation.

According to the report, Israel has drawn up a new list of potential targets in Iran, including civilian infrastructure sites that have not previously been struck. These reportedly include energy plants, in addition to nuclear facilities and regime-linked locations.

One source suggested that the proposed strikes could also have been intended as a negotiating tactic, noting that the final decision on resuming hostilities rested with Trump.

The Pentagon did not comment on the report, the Financial Times said.

According to reports, a resumption of fighting in the coming weeks is seen as "not an unreasonable scenario", indicating that the possibility of renewed military action remains open despite the reported decision to halt the October operation.

Trump's reported opposition to the proposed strikes comes ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, in which Americans will elect members of Congress.

On October 9, Trump said Washington would not attack Iran before the midterms. His remarks came days after a report that IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir had told his American counterparts that a fresh attack could lead to the postponement of Israel's election, scheduled for October 27.

Israeli officials reportedly assessed that Iran would respond to an American strike with a massive missile barrage against Israel, potentially escalating the confrontation between the two countries.

The Financial Times report, however, did not establish whether the US had been expected to join the proposed Israeli operation or whether American forces would participate in any future strikes.

Multiple earlier reports had suggested that Netanyahu had been pressing Washington to renew military action against Iran.

Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported last week that Netanyahu had urged Trump to resume the fighting before Israel's October 27 election and the US midterms on November 3.

The reported push for fresh strikes comes amid continuing concerns over Iran's nuclear programme and the prospect of another military confrontation. However, the available reports do not independently establish the specific intelligence assessments behind the proposed targets or whether a final decision to launch the operation had been taken.

The possibility that the preparations were intended partly to increase pressure on Tehran during negotiations also remains open.

The report comes two days after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly made a secret visit to Israel and met Netanyahu to discuss "threats in the region".

The meeting took place amid reports of renewed Israeli efforts to persuade Washington to consider further military action against Iran. However, the reported visit does not establish that the two sides agreed on a new operation or that the US committed to participating in future strikes.

The Pentagon's reported silence on the proposed October operation also leaves questions unanswered about the extent of Washington's involvement in the planning and the role American forces might play if hostilities resume.

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