FT: Trump blocked Netanyahu's planned new offensive against Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned a multi-day bombing campaign against Iran for the weekend of Oct. 10, but President Trump opposed renewed fighting before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, the Financial Times reported, citing three people familiar with the matter.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned a large-scale, multi-day bombing campaign against Iran for the weekend of Oct. 10, but the operation was shelved after President Donald Trump opposed it, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the discussions.

According to the report, the Israeli military was ready to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and regime targets as well as civilian infrastructure, including power plants. The sources said the operation did not go ahead because Trump did not want a new round of fighting before the Nov. 3 congressional midterm elections, fearing it would deepen the global energy crisis.

White House: No attack before the midterms

Trump and Netanyahu in the Oval Office (file, July 2026)

The White House reiterated that the United States would not attack Iran before the midterm elections. It remains unclear whether the United States was expected to take part directly in the planned October operation or whether Israel intended to carry it out on its own.

One person familiar with the discussions told the newspaper that another round of strikes in the coming weeks remains a realistic possibility. Neither the Israeli government nor the White House publicly confirmed the details of the report.

Tensions remain high

The report comes as tensions in the region remain high, with traffic through the Strait of Hormuz sharply reduced and Iran's Revolutionary Guard warning ships against passage. Washington has also warned its citizens in the Middle East to exercise maximum vigilance amid speculation about possible new US strikes on Iran.