Washington, 26 October. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought a joint strike on Iran from US President Donald Trump before Israel's 27 October parliamentary election but was turned down, CNN reported, citing two US officials and an Israeli security source.
Netanyahu's office called the report "fake news".
"Netanyahu really wanted and tried to convince Trump for a joint attack in Iran before the elections, and Trump did not give a green light," the Israeli source told CNN. One reason, the source said, was a warning from Israeli army chief of staff Eyal Zamir to US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine that a strike could disrupt the election and force its postponement. US officials, including Trump, asked Israel to wait and signalled that joint operations would come later, likely after the US midterm elections in early November.
According to CNN, US forces in the Middle East are ready to launch a broad campaign against Iranian nuclear, military and energy targets within 96 hours of an order from Trump; no final decision has been made. "The plans are ready, waiting for Trump's approval, could be after the midterms," the source said. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz denied reports of disagreements between the political leadership and the military.
What it means: Washington is holding Israel back from a new war with Iran on the eve of two votes, Israel's on 27 October and America's on 3 November, but is not ruling out strikes in principle.
Who benefits: Trump keeps control over the timing of any escalation before the midterms. The report hurts Netanyahu ahead of the vote, which is why his office denies it. Iran gets a respite, but also a direct warning.
Background: The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on 28 February. The Knesset election takes place on Tuesday, 27 October.
We have also reported that Netanyahu postponed Gaza decisions until after the 27 October election.
