The United States and Israel could be set to launch a fresh wave of strikes against Iran in early November, according to a source brief on military planning who spoke to NPR.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously ruled out any further military action before the midterm elections, which are due to take place on Tuesday, 3rd November.
An A-10C Thunderbolt II sits under a sun shade July 29, 2014, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The A-10’s primary weapon is a single 30mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun. It can also carry up to 16,000 pounds of mixed ordnance such as cluster bomb units, joint direct attack munitions and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ryan Callaghan)
U.S. Air Force Capt. Kristin “Beo” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, takes off from Selfridge Air National Guard base for the 2020 London SkyDrive Air Show in Canada Sep. 12, 2020, Harrison Township, Mich. The F-35 Demo Team flew alongside the F-16 Viper, the F-22 Raptor, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration teams in London, Ontario, Canada. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kip Sumner)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also fighting an election campaign, has previously pushed for renewed strikes against Iran.
Trump’s Objection
According to the source who spoke to NPR on condition of anonymity, Israel was planning to strike Iran in mid-October shortly before the Israeli elections on Tuesday, 27th October.
However, President Trump objected, and the plans were suspended.
The source added that the U.S. is amassing forces in the Middle East in advance of an attack in early November.
However, the preparations may be part of a campaign to pressure Tehran into a diplomatic deal.
Earlier this month, President Trump ruled out a fresh wave of strikes before next month’s midterm elections in a Truth Social post.
“I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both economically and militarily, and while the blockade will remain in full force and effect… we will not be attacking Iran at any time before the midterm elections,” Trump wrote, adding that Washington was having “productive discussions” with Tehran.
Iran Ready to Retaliate
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media on Thursday that Tehran was “just as prepared for diplomacy as we are for war.”
He added: “Any scenario is conceivable, including the possibility of an attack by the U.S. and Israel.”
Iranian state media also quoted a security source who claimed that Tehran would retaliate by targeting U.S. interests in the Middle East if Iranian officials of civilian infrastructure were targeted.
Iran would also attack the infrastructure and assets of participating countries in the conflict, the source added.
Election Season
Both the U.S. and Israeli leaders face election campaigns in the next fortnight, with Prime Minister Netanyahu seeking to maintain control of the 120-seat Knesset next week.
While his right-wing coalition is set to take the most seats, polls suggest it could fall short of a majority on polling day.
The largest party is projected to be the centrist Yashar party, which was formed last September by Gadi Eisenkot, the former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces.
However, Eisenkot is unlikely to form a coalition, as similarly aligned parties are unlikely to reach the 3.25% threshold to enter the Knesset.
President Trump, while not on the ballot himself, faces the midterms next month. Opinion polls suggest the Democratic Party will gain a majority in at least one of Congress’ two chambers, therefore limiting the Republicans’ presidential agenda for his final two years in office.
Peace or Proposal?
Perhaps coincidentally, the conflict has mellowed as the U.S. and Israeli governments prepare for their forthcoming elections.
Last month, Iranian officials presented the Trump administration with a proposal to end the conflict.
The deal largely resembles the memorandum of understanding that was signed between the two warring nations earlier this year, but ultimately fell through after the U.S. accused Iran of striking commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump later told reporters he rejected the deal, and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz told NBC News the U.S. could not allow Iran “to have access to billions in frozen funds.”
The U.S. sent a response to Tehran, which Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said was “insufficient.”
“About two weeks ago, we communicated seven conditions to the Americans, stating explicitly that until these conditions are met, the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened to them, and no negotiations will take place,” Rezaei told state media. “The Americans have now responded. While they have accepted some of our conditions, others remain unresolved.”
He added: “We are no longer in the process of responding to the Americans. They have replied, and we consider it insufficient. They must clarify the issues that remain ambiguous.”
Last month, Rezaei said the proposal included conditions such as “an end to the war on all fronts, the release of our frozen funds and an end to the naval blockade” in an interview with Al Jazeera.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
