Israel planned to launch a new bombing campaign against Iran on October 10, but the attack was halted by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Financial Times reported on October 21.
According to the newspaper, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his armed forces to plan a multi-day offensive targeting Iranian civilian infrastructure, such as power plants, as well as nuclear facilities and government sites.
The mission ultimately did not go ahead because Trump opposed reigniting the conflict before the U.S. midterm elections, which are set to take place on November 3, according to three people familiar with the matter who were cited by the outlet.
Nevertheless, both Trump and Netanyahu have continued to threaten a new offensive against Iran, asserting that they must "finish" the job, the Financial Times notes.
A source indicated to the newspaper that it is "not an unreasonable scenario" for Israel and Washington to resume attacks in the coming weeks. "There will be either an agreement or an attack," the source stated, suggesting that the U.S. objective is to compel Iran to accept terms regarding the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear program, terms that would definitively bring an end to the war.
Source of information: News Agency e.g., Financial Times / TASS / AFP
Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s opposition Democrats party, said Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “completely lacks the legitimacy” to launch a war ahead of Oct. 27 legislative elections.
ReplyDeleteHis remarks came after The Financial Times reported that US President Donald Trump had rejected Netanyahu’s plan to strike infrastructure and nuclear facilities in Iran, a military campaign that was reportedly set to begin on Oct. 10.
Trump opposes any military escalation ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm congressional elections in the US, fearing negative repercussions for the Republican Party's electoral prospects, according to the report.
Golan, also a former deputy chief of staff of the Israeli army, said in a post on US social media platform X: “Netanyahu is a sick and weak leader clinging to power by force, willing to put Israel’s security at risk to save himself.”