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Netanyahu pushes to resume large-scale strikes on Iran

Published Last updated

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the military to plan a new offensive earlier this month, according to reports. A multi-day bombing campaign set for the weekend of October 10 did not go ahead, reportedly because of US opposition.

Three people familiar with the matter said the Israel Defense Forces were ready for a multi-day operation on the weekend of October 10. The sources said targets included nuclear facilities, sites linked to the Iranian regime and civilian infrastructure such as power plants.

The sources said the operation did not go ahead mainly because US President Donald Trump opposed resuming hostilities before the US midterm elections on November 3. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the US would not launch strikes on Iran before the midterms.

Israeli officials reportedly presented an updated target list based on fresh intelligence. It included civilian infrastructure that Israel did not strike earlier this year.

One source said a joint restart of strikes in the coming weeks is "not an unreasonable scenario". US War Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Israel this week and held talks with Netanyahu.

Key facts

Who
Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister, pushing to resume large-scale strikes on Iran…); Donald Trump (US President, reportedly opposed resuming strikes before the midterms); Pete Hegseth (US Secretary of Defense (War), held talks with Netanyahu in Israel on Monday…); Israel Defense Forces (military that reportedly prepared the planned bombing campaign)
What
According to an FT exclusive, Netanyahu is pushing to resume large-scale strikes on Iran and had ordered the military to plan a fresh offensive earlier in October.
When
21 October 2026
Where
Iran, Israel, United States
Status
Reported

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