Is Netanyahu Planning to Launch a War on Iran Before the Elections?

Israeli Channel 12 reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered US President Donald Trump last week to launch a broad joint military operation against Iran before the elections.

The channel cited an Israeli official stating that Netanyahu was the initiator of the plan to strike Iran before the Israeli elections, noting that the timing of such an operation could affect both the Israeli and American elections.

It added that Netanyahu's proposal came after monitoring "worrying and suspicious" steps by Iran regarding its nuclear program.

The channel revealed that Trump initially leaned toward giving Netanyahu the green light to resume strikes on Iran, indicating that after repeated requests from Netanyahu, he told him, "Go ahead and prepare, but this means now or later, or perhaps it never happens." However, Trump's enthusiasm for the idea subsequently waned, according to the channel citing an Israeli official.

The channel quoted US officials as saying they formed the impression that Netanyahu wishes to resume strikes on Iran before the elections, and that he believes his strength lies in being prime minister during wartime.

It noted that the Israeli army and US Central Command are completing preparations in case Trump changes his mind and decides to resume the war.

In contrast, the channel quoted Netanyahu's office as saying that the prime minister is not pushing Trump to attack Iran before the elections, and that Netanyahu maintains ongoing dialogue with Trump and senior US administration officials.

In the same vein, former Israeli Defense Minister and head of the "Yisrael Beiteinu" party, Avigdor Lieberman, said on Tuesday that Netanyahu might launch a military operation against Iran, Hamas, or Hezbollah before the elections scheduled for October 27.

Lieberman clarified during an event in central Israel: "I have no doubt whatsoever that Netanyahu is strongly seeking to take a military step before the elections, whether against Iran, Hezbollah, or Hamas," as reported by the "Israel Hayom" newspaper.