Overview
- Israeli leaders prepared a multi-day bombing plan for early October that included nuclear sites, regime targets and civilian infrastructure but the operation was paused after U.S. opposition.
- The White House publicly pledged not to attack Iran before the U.S. midterm elections, a position confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly.
- U.S. and Israeli officials continued operational coordination, including a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and are reported to be working on a shorter, intense strike option to follow the elections.
- The Israel Defense Forces put forces on high alert and canceled troop leave through October 27 to secure the vote even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for renewed strikes.
- Iran has warned of wider reprisals that could target data centers, undersea internet cables and Gulf energy facilities, raising the risk of wider regional disruption and higher global energy costs.