US and Israel have drawn up possible post-election Iran strikes, reports say
ABC News says two Israeli sources described plans for possible joint strikes. The White House says the US will not attack Iran before the November 3 election.
The US and Israeli militaries have drawn up plans for possible renewed strikes on Iran after the November 3 US midterm election, according to New York Times reporting cited by TRT World. ABC News reported on October 22 that two Israeli sources familiar with the plans described possible joint strikes in the coming weeks. Any decision to attack remains with President Donald Trump, one of those sources said.
ABC’s Israeli sources expected any strikes to come after the election, citing Trump’s reluctance to unsettle oil markets during the campaign. Their account concerns preparations for a possible operation; Trump has not announced an authorization to carry it out.
White House rules out a strike before November 3
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told ABC News that the United States would not attack Iran before the midterm elections. The Federal Election Commission lists Tuesday, November 3, as the next regularly scheduled federal general election date. Kelly’s statement addresses the period before the vote; it gives no commitment about what the administration will do afterward.
Asked about the New York Times report, a White House official told ABC that the administration does not comment on sensitive military plans that may or may not exist. The official said Trump keeps all options open to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The Pentagon declined to comment, according to ABC.
Possible targets and who decides on an attack
The Times of India and Free Press Kashmir, both citing the New York Times, described a possible short, intensive campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile and drone arsenals, and potentially its energy infrastructure. Those targets form part of the reported planning, rather than an announced military operation.
Free Press Kashmir also reported, citing the Times, that US forces had increased military exercises, including flights over Iraq to rehearse strike operations. TRT World attributed its account of intensified exercises to the same Times report.
An Israeli source told ABC that Trump would decide whether joint strikes resume. The source did not rule out Israeli action without US participation, but said Israel would still need US consent. That leaves open both the timing and the form of any operation after the election.
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Sources and context
- US and Israel drawing up plans to resume attacks on Iran post-election, sources sayABC News
- US, Israel prepare for fresh Iran strikes after midterms as Tehran threatens with ‘Father of All Bombs’The Times of India
- US and Israel draw up plans to resume attacks on Iran after November electionsFree Press Kashmir
- US, Israel draw up plans for post-election strikes on Iran — reportTRT World
- FEC | Election and voting informationFederal Election Commission
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.