Israeli and American military leaders are crafting plans to launch joint attacks on Iran in the weeks following the U.S. midterm elections, according to two Israeli sources close to the discussions. The timing is shaped by President Donald Trump’s desire to avoid rocking oil markets in the final days of the campaign. A White House spokesperson confirmed Thursday that no attacks will occur before the November 3 vote, but one Israeli source warned that ‘hunting season opens’ immediately after. The strategies were hashed out during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s unannounced visit to Israel this week, where new intelligence was exchanged. Future strikes aim to cripple Iran’s economy by targeting petrochemical facilities and could extend to nuclear sites like Pickaxe Mountain, though civilian infrastructure is off the table. Israel’s primary objective remains regime change, not a negotiated settlement. Meanwhile, the U.S. is quietly shifting military personnel in the Middle East, mirroring moves made before the war with Iran began in February. The State Department has also ordered non-essential staff out of Saudi Arabia due to threats from Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. Trump has sent mixed signals on diplomacy, first saying talks are ‘a little bit’ ongoing, then insisting ‘we’re not negotiating,’ and predicting action ‘fairly soon’ after the elections.
