The United States will not launch a military strike against the Islamic Republic of Iran before the 3 November US midterm elections, the White House has said, while a Financial Times report claimed that the Israel regime had recently prepared plans for a renewed large-scale attack on Iranian targets.
According to the Financial Times, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed military officials in early October to prepare a new offensive against Iran. Citing three people familiar with the matter, the newspaper reported that the proposed operation would have targeted not only Iran's nuclear facilities but also power stations, civilian infrastructure and other sites linked to the Iranian government.
The report said the strikes had initially been planned for the weekend of 10 October, but were not carried out after US President Donald Trump opposed any escalation before the congressional midterm elections. The newspaper said Washington wanted to avoid the outbreak of a new regional conflict ahead of the vote.
Responding to the report, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said Iran was "in a very bad position economically and militarily," arguing that Washington's pressure campaign had significantly weakened Tehran.
Kelly also reiterated the administration's position on military action, saying: "The United States will not attack Iran before the midterm elections."
She argued that US measures targeting Iran's economy, including restrictions affecting oil exports and maritime trade, had increased pressure on Tehran without the need for immediate military action.
