US and Israel draw up plans for renewed Iran strikes after midterms, officials say

The U.S. and Israeli militaries have developed specific plans for renewed strikes against Iran after the American midterm elections, according to a New York Times report citing U.S. officials and other people briefed on the deliberations. The Seattle Times and Boston Globe carried the same account. As planning for a short but intensive operation progresses, the two militaries have stepped up exercises, flying planes over Iraq to practice strike maneuvers, the report said. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel this week to discuss new strikes, U.S. officials said. The targets would likely include Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenal. Some officials say one more big round of attacks could push Iran's economy over the brink and force diplomatic concessions after nearly eight months of conflict. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]

ABC News cited two Israeli sources who said the strikes would almost certainly take place after the midterms, citing Trump's reluctance to further destabilize oil markets in the final days of the campaign. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement to ABC News: "The United States will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections." Another White House official said the administration does not comment on "sensitive military plans that may or may not exist," and that Trump "keeps all options on the table" to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The Pentagon declined to comment. [ 4 ]

The Israeli sources said Netanyahu is firmly in favor of renewed action but that the decision is "only for Trump to decide." One did not rule out Israel striking unilaterally, while adding that Israel would still require U.S. consent. The New York Times report said it is far from certain Trump will approve fresh strikes, noting that he has repeatedly vetoed plans for a return to major combat operations this year, including this month when the militaries were nearly ready to attack. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]

The report said there are reasons to doubt that a renewed war would be more successful than the first phase of strikes between February and April, which drove up energy prices and inflation around the world, eroded security in the Middle East and severely strained the Pentagon's supply of missile interceptors. Iranian officials have promised to retaliate by expanding their targets to data centers and underwater internet cables, and say the fighting will be neither quick nor limited. The United States is assembling an arsenal that will be fully in place by early November, the report said. [ 2 , 5 ]

TIME reported that Trump said last month the war would end "immediately after the election." It also reported that Trump told Newsmax last week he was considering additional military action, including a possible strike on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility. ABC News reported that Trump gave a conflicting answer on negotiations, saying talks are ongoing "a little bit" and then "I think we're not negotiating." [ 3 , 4 ]

CNN spoke with Republican voters in Iowa, where it said high gas and diesel prices have hurt farmers and two service members from the state have died in the conflict. Most of those interviewed reacted negatively to the prospect of a new, intensive round of bombing. One said gas had risen from about $40 to $60 for a tank and predicted prices would "skyrocket again." [ 6 ]