The key facts
- Netanyahu in early October ordered the Israeli air force to prepare a strike plan against Iran — Financial Times citing sources
- Trump did not approve the operation and, according to FT, intends to avoid escalation at least until November 3 — the day of the US congressional midterm elections
- An FT source suggests the dialogue about resuming hostilities may be a ploy to pressure Tehran
Israel seeks resumption of strikes on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as part of consultations with the United States, is insisting on resuming military action against Iran. This was reported by The Financial Times newspaper citing sources. According to the journalists, as early as early October the head of the Israeli government ordered the country's air force to prepare a plan for strikes on the territory of the Islamic Republic.
Washington did not approve the operation
In the US, the proposed operation was not supported. According to FT, US President Donald Trump notified Israel that he intends to avoid escalation at least until November 3 — the day when midterm congressional elections will be held in the country. At the same time, a source for the publication suggested that the dialogue about a possible resumption of hostilities may be a ploy: in that case, its goal is to pressure Tehran and provoke the Iranian side into concessions.
Context
On October 8, Trump expressed confidence that the conflict between the US and Iran would be resolved soon, explaining that the threat of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons had been eliminated. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran, reached in June, 'too fragile'. Before that, the American leader called idiots those who believe in Iran receiving help from Russia.
