According to the report, the plans focus on a short, intensive military operation that could last approximately three days and include strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
According to the report, the plans focus on a short, intensive military operation that could last approximately three days and include strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and missile and drone capabilities.
The two countries have stepped up joint military exercises, including flights over Iraq to rehearse potential strikes. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also discussed the plans with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel this week.
According to the report, Trump has not yet approved a new military operation, while diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with Iran are ongoing.
Iranian officials have threatened that any renewed attack would trigger a broader response, including strikes on data centers and undersea communications cables.
The large-scale operation that never took place
The operation did not go ahead because Trump opposed resuming hostilities ahead of the US midterm elections.
The strikes were expected to be more intensive than those carried out by Israel and the US at the beginning of their joint military campaign in February.
Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, nor any other government official had told the IDF to prepare to attack in the way that such orders were handed down leading up to the June 2025 and early 2026 conflicts with Iran.
Israeli military preparations continue
According to Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, the aircraft were deployed eastward during the exercise.
Middle East Eye also reported, citing local sources, that Israeli fighter jets had been spotted over southern Syria and later over Muthanna Governorate in southern Iraq.
Trump had already made clear on October 8 that the US would not attack Iran before the midterm elections.
“We are having productive talks with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said at the time.
“I want to make it clear to everyone that although Iran is in very bad shape, both economically and militarily, and although the blockade will remain fully in effect, we will not attack Iran at any point before the midterm elections, which will take place in the United States on November 3.”
Despite the ongoing military preparations, it remains unclear whether the plans will lead to an attack after the elections.
According to the reports, while some officials believe renewed strikes could take place in the coming weeks, others believe the military preparations are intended to pressure Tehran during negotiations.
Iranian officials have also warned that any further attack would prompt a broader response, including strikes on data centers and undersea communications cables.
US warning and disagreements in negotiations
The report, based on leaks and unofficial information, specifically raised the possibility of strikes on nuclear facilities at Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran.
According to the newspaper, Munir’s visit was intended to revive Pakistan’s mediation channel between Washington and Tehran.
The Lebanese report said significant disagreements remained between the two sides over the order in which issues should be addressed during negotiations.
Iran remains unwilling to give up enriched nuclear materials
While the US is demanding progress on the nuclear issue as a condition for continuing talks, Iran wants to prioritize ending the war and the blockade, as well as arranging the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Alongside the Pakistan-mediated talks, Trump has reiterated that he will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. However, no public decision has been announced on resuming military strikes.
The possibility of a military operation following the US midterm elections remains on the table, alongside ongoing efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement.
