The US and Israeli militaries have drawn up detailed plans for renewed strikes on Iran following the US midterm elections on November 3, The New York Times reported on Wednesday evening, citing American officials familiar with the discussions.
According to the report, the plans focus on a short, intensive military operation that could last approximately three days and include strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and missile and drone capabilities.
The two countries have stepped up joint military exercises, including flights over Iraq to rehearse potential strikes. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also discussed the plans with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel this week.
The US and Israel reportedly came close to launching an attack earlier this month, but US President Donald Trump decided to postpone it at the last minute.
According to the report, Trump has not yet approved a new military operation, while diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with Iran are ongoing.
Allied air power in formation: Israel Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly in formation during a mission against Iran, as the US and Israel conduct unprecedented, fully integrated multi-domain operations against Iranian military targets. (credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Office)
Iranian officials have threatened that any renewed attack would trigger a broader response, including strikes on data centers and undersea communications cables.
The large-scale operation that never took place
According to a Financial Times report published on Tuesday, Netanyahu had pushed for a large-scale offensive against Iran, with the IDF preparing for a multi-day bombing campaign over the weekend of October 10.
The operation did not go ahead because Trump opposed resuming hostilities ahead of the US midterm elections.
The FT further reported that the planned operation was intended to target power plants and other civilian infrastructure, along with nuclear facilities and sites associated with the Iranian regime.
The strikes were expected to be more intensive than those carried out by Israel and the US at the beginning of their joint military campaign in February.
As part of the preparations, Israel reportedly presented American officials with an updated target list based on new intelligence, including infrastructure that had not previously been targeted.
However, it remains unclear whether the US was expected to participate directly in the operation.
Israeli military preparations continue
Meanwhile, Fox News reported on Tuesday that Israeli fighter jets had flown toward Iran over Syria and Iraq during an exercise conducted overnight between Monday and Tuesday.
According to Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, the aircraft were deployed eastward during the exercise.
Middle East Eye also reported, citing local sources, that Israeli fighter jets had been spotted over southern Syria and later over Muthanna Governorate in southern Iraq.
Trump had already made clear on October 8 that the US would not attack Iran before the midterm elections.
“We are having productive talks with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said at the time.
“I want to make it clear to everyone that although Iran is in very bad shape, both economically and militarily, and although the blockade will remain fully in effect, we will not attack Iran at any point before the midterm elections, which will take place in the United States on November 3.”
Despite the ongoing military preparations, it remains unclear whether the plans will lead to an attack after the elections.
According to the reports, while some officials believe renewed strikes could take place in the coming weeks, others believe the military preparations are intended to pressure Tehran during negotiations.
Iranian officials have also warned that any further attack would prompt a broader response, including strikes on data centers and undersea communications cables.
US warning and disagreements in negotiations
Meanwhile, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported on Tuesday that Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, had conveyed a US warning during a visit to Tehran, demanding that Iran make concessions on its nuclear program or risk a large-scale military attack.
The report, based on leaks and unofficial information, specifically raised the possibility of strikes on nuclear facilities at Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran.
According to the newspaper, Munir’s visit was intended to revive Pakistan’s mediation channel between Washington and Tehran.
The Lebanese report said significant disagreements remained between the two sides over the order in which issues should be addressed during negotiations.
Iran remains unwilling to give up enriched nuclear materials
While the US is demanding progress on the nuclear issue as a condition for continuing talks, Iran wants to prioritize ending the war and the blockade, as well as arranging the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The report also stated that Mohsen Rezaei had made clear to Munir that Iran’s enriched nuclear material would remain on Iranian territory.
Alongside the Pakistan-mediated talks, Trump has reiterated that he will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. However, no public decision has been announced on resuming military strikes.
The possibility of a military operation following the US midterm elections remains on the table, alongside ongoing efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement.