US, Israel Plan Renewed Iran Strikes After Midterms: NYT
The United States and Israel have drawn up detailed plans for renewed military strikes on Iran that could begin shortly after the US midterm elections on November 3, the New York Times reported on October 22, citing American officials and others briefed on the deliberations.
What the plans include
According to the Times, the planned operation would be a short but intensive campaign — possibly lasting about three days — targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile and drone arsenal, and energy infrastructure. The report, summarized by several outlets including Anadolu Agency and Investing.com, says both militaries have stepped up exercises in recent weeks, including flyovers of Iraq to rehearse strike maneuvers.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly discussed the plans with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a previously undisclosed meeting in Israel this week. Hegseth confirmed the meeting took place but declined to give details. Anadolu Agency reported that dozens of Israeli Air Force jets flew as far as the Iranian border on Monday, the same day the meeting occurred.
Trump has not approved the operation
The report stresses that President Donald Trump has not approved a new offensive, and officials told the Times it is “far from certain” that he will. Trump has repeatedly vetoed a return to major combat this year, including earlier this month when both militaries were reportedly nearly ready to strike. A White House official said the administration does not comment on military plans “that may or may not exist,” while White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the United States “will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections.” Before boarding Air Force One on October 21, Trump told reporters: “Something one way or another will happen, fairly soon… Most people seem to think it’s after the election.”
Iran warns of retaliation
Iranian officials have warned that any renewed attack would trigger a broader response. According to reports, Tehran has threatened to hit Saudi oil refineries — including Aramco facilities — as well as data centers and undersea internet cables. The buildup has already pushed oil markets higher; crude rose to $114 a barrel this week amid escalating Houthi attacks on shipping, as covered in our earlier report on Gulf tanker attacks and the Aramco headquarters evacuation. The latest White House claims about Ukraine’s Starlink access, reported earlier today, also stem from the same regional escalation.
Netanyahu, for his part, told an October 21 election rally that “the only way to end this” is “by toppling this regime,” according to the reports.
(Sources: New York Times, via Anadolu Agency, Reuters, BBC News — October 22–23, 2026)