US and Israel reportedly plan new strikes on Iran after US midterm elections
In short
Chinese outlets reported on 22 October, citing US officials and other informed people, that US and Israeli militaries have drawn up specific plans for another military strike on Iran after the US midterm elections. The US has not formally announced any such operation.
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Chinese business outlets reported on 22 October that the US and Israeli militaries have drawn up specific plans to strike Iran again after the US midterm elections. CLS and Yicai attributed the account to CCTV News, which cited US officials and other informed people and said the information was obtained on 21 October local time. Jiemian attributed the same account to the New York Times, citing US officials and other informed people, as relayed by CCTV International. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the reports, the two sides are planning an operation that would be short but high in intensity. US Defense Secretary Hegseth discussed plans for a new round of military strikes on Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during a visit to Israel this week. CLS and Yicai added that the two sides are stepping up joint exercises, including sending military aircraft over Iraq for simulated strike training. Jiemian did not mention the exercises. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The reports say possible targets include Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenals. Some US officials believe another large-scale operation could hit Iran's economy further and push Iran to make concessions in diplomatic negotiations. All three outlets said the US has not formally announced any such military operation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The reports describe possible strikes on Iranian energy, nuclear and weapons sites, with some US officials quoted as seeing a way to press Iran in diplomatic talks. The reports rest on unnamed sources, and no operation has been announced.
Key facts
- Reports say US and Israeli militaries have drawn up specific plans for a further strike on Iran after the US midterm elections. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The two sides are reportedly planning an operation that is short in duration but high in intensity. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- US Defense Secretary Hegseth discussed the plans with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during a visit to Israel this week. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Possible targets include Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenals. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Some US officials reportedly believe a new large-scale operation could further hurt Iran's economy and push Iran to make concessions in diplomatic negotiations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The US has not formally announced any such military operation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- CLS and Yicai also reported that the two sides are stepping up joint exercises, including sending military aircraft over Iraq for simulated strike training. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- Whether and when the strikes will take place. The reports describe plans and say the US has not formally announced any operation.
- Who the officials and informed people behind the reports are. The documents attribute the account to unnamed US officials and other informed people.
- The original source of the report. Jiemian says it comes from the New York Times, while CLS and Yicai attribute it to CCTV News, which gives no outlet for the original reporting.
- Joint exercises including aircraft flights over Iraq. Only CLS and Yicai mention this; Jiemian does not.
- US and Israeli militaries have reportedly drawn up specific plans for another strike on Iran after the US midterm elections, according to US officials and other informed people. Reported by a single source so far
- The US has not formally announced the operation. Reported by a single source so far