U.S. and Israel Reportedly Plan Possible Iran Strikes After Midterms
publishers 23articles 25first reported 21 Oct, 22:41 UTCdeveloping since 22 Oct · 8 editions
The U.S. and Israeli militaries have developed plans for possible renewed strikes on Iran after the U.S. midterm elections, according to U.S. officials and others briefed on the deliberations cited by The New York Times.
The reported plans envision a short, intensive campaign targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone stockpiles. The two militaries have increased exercises, including flights over Iraq to practice strike maneuvers, while the United States assembles weapons and other military assets expected to be in place by early November. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in October to discuss potential strikes, officials said.
No attack has been approved. President Donald Trump has repeatedly rejected proposals for renewed major combat operations in 2026, including a plan this month that the militaries were reportedly close to executing.
Diplomatic talks are continuing, with U.S. negotiators pressing Iran over its nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has resisted nuclear concessions, according to the report. Iranian officials have warned that renewed attacks would prompt retaliation against a broader range of targets, including regional data centers and underwater internet cables, and said any conflict would not be brief or limited.
Israel’s Oct. 27 election could also affect the planning, particularly if Netanyahu loses and becomes caretaker prime minister.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 32 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 23
- Source articles
- 25
- Given to the writer
- 8, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 32 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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