Behind the October 10 Strike: Trump Halted Large-Scale Israeli Attack on Iran

The British newspaper "Financial Times" revealed today, Wednesday, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to attack Iran on October 10 of this month, before US President Donald Trump halted the plan.

According to what the newspaper reported from three informed sources, Netanyahu was planning a "wide-scale" attack earlier this month against Iran, about two weeks before the Knesset election date.

According to the sources, the Israeli army prepared for an air campaign lasting several days, scheduled to be carried out during the weekend corresponding to October 10.

It was supposed, according to "Financial Times," that the campaign would include strikes against civilian infrastructure, such as power generation stations, alongside nuclear facilities and regime-related targets.

The sources attribute the non-execution of the operation to Trump's desire to avoid renewed confrontation before the congressional midterm elections, fearing the exacerbation of the global energy crisis.

This current October witnessed clear political and military escalation in the Israeli-Iranian confrontation file, amidst pressing electoral calculations in both countries, as Israeli elections are scheduled for October 27, and US midterm elections on November 3, making any military escalation fraught with political risks.

The American website "Axios" had previously revealed that Netanyahu pressured Trump to resume strikes before the elections, pointing to fears of Iran rebuilding its nuclear capabilities.

Sources reported that Trump told Netanyahu "get ready" or "start preparing," without formal commitment, but the White House denied discussing resuming the war, and the US president publicly confirmed that he would not attack Iran before the midterms.

Netanyahu had also publicly stated that launching a preemptive strike was "inappropriate" before the Israeli elections, while simultaneously warning that Iran and its proxies might try to disrupt the vote.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited Israel on Monday in an unannounced visit and met with Netanyahu, while the latter released a recording of a call with Trump in which he said, "We have a mission to finish together."

This comes amid the Israeli army raising its alert level, having canceled soldiers' leave until the election date.