U.S. Reportedly Blocked Israeli Plan for Pre-Election Action Against Iran

Egypt Daily News – World

Israeli media reports say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad chief Roman Gofman prepared an operation against Iran in the days before Israel’s October 27 election, but that U.S. intervention prevented it from going ahead. The operation’s intended targets and nature have not been disclosed, and the account has been disputed by Netanyahu’s office.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that senior figures in the country’s security establishment raised objections to the plan. They feared an attack could trigger a wider confrontation with Iran, with consequences serious enough to disrupt or delay the election. Preparations nevertheless continued, the broadcaster said, until information about the operation reached the United States after what it described as a mistake by an Israeli security official. U.S. intervention then halted the plan, according to the report.

Channel 12 noted that its reporting was subject to Israeli military censorship restrictions. Netanyahu’s office rejected the account, saying the prime minister had made clear at the time that an attack on Iran before the election was not under consideration.

The report adds to earlier accounts of disagreement within Israel’s security leadership over potential military action against Iran. Channel 12 previously described an “unprecedented confrontation” between Netanyahu and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The dispute reportedly centred on an unspecified military move Netanyahu had ordered, and concerns that it could heighten tensions with Tehran at a politically sensitive moment.

According to that earlier reporting, Zamir opposed proceeding before further consultations and sought written documentation from Netanyahu confirming that the operation had been legally authorised. Security sources cited by the broadcaster also expressed concern that the Iran issue could be used for political advantage. The tensions reportedly surfaced during a meeting at Palmachim Airbase.

Channel 12 and Channel 13 subsequently reported that Zamir was the only senior security official to oppose a military move pursued by Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz. Zamir’s stated concern, according to those reports, was that a renewed confrontation with Iran could affect the election.

A New York Times report described weeks of preparation for a new airstrike against Iran, which it said Zamir had blocked. The newspaper also reported that the army chief was worried about a separate, less visible operation. Although it would not have taken the form of a direct air attack, Zamir reportedly believed it could still provoke an Iranian military response.

CNN, meanwhile, reported that Netanyahu had sought President Donald Trump’s approval for a joint strike before the Israeli election but was turned down. Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak also accused Netanyahu of planning what he called a “provocative act” against Iran through the Mossad, without the army chief’s knowledge.

Netanyahu has denied reports of a clash with Zamir, calling them “nonsense” and saying no confrontation took place. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 14, however, he said he had instructed the military and Mossad to work toward bringing down Iran’s government. He did not link that statement to the specific operation described in the media reports.

The dispute over a possible strike comes amid diplomatic efforts to end the war between the United States and Iran. Qatar is mediating negotiations, and reports have indicated progress, while Washington and Jerusalem have differed over whether military operations should resume.

Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu pressed Trump to restart the war once the U.S. midterm elections on November 3 had concluded. The Israeli leader was reportedly concerned that an agreement could ease pressure on Tehran substantially. Trump, by contrast, was said to favour giving diplomacy more time and to have urged Israel not to interfere with the ongoing talks.

The broadcaster also reported that Trump was considering whether to resume military strikes. Speaking outside the White House on Friday, the president confirmed that the United States was talking with Iran. “We’ve defeated Iran, and we’re doing very well with them. We’re talking to Iran,” he said, adding that the United States had not lost a soldier in the previous six or seven months.

Trump defended U.S. military operations against Tehran and repeated his claim that his intervention had prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. His comments came as the diplomatic track remained active and debate continued over the costs and risks of renewed fighting.

The latest reports place the alleged Israeli plan within a broader disagreement over the timing and consequences of further action. Israeli officials cited in the accounts warned that an operation could provoke Iran and disrupt domestic political events; U.S. reporting described Washington as unwilling to support a pre-election strike. Netanyahu’s office, however, has denied that such an attack was being planned. The details remain unconfirmed publicly, and the operation itself has not been described beyond the competing media accounts.

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