US reportedly urged ‘Israel’ to launch unilateral attack on Iran, 'Israeli' media says

• The United States reportedly urged ‘Israel’ to launch a unilateral attack on Iran during security discussions over the past two weeks, according to Maariv.
• ‘Israeli’ military chief Eyal Zamir reportedly warned that an attack could force the postponement of ‘Israel’s’ Oct. 27 election.
• Washington subsequently backed away from the proposal, according to the report, amid concerns over the political consequences of military action ahead of US midterm elections.

The United States asked ‘Israel’ to carry out a military strike against Iran without American participation during discussions between the two countries over the past two weeks, the ‘Israeli’ newspaper Maariv reported on Saturday, citing unnamed sources.

According to the report, Washington wanted ‘Israel’ to assume responsibility for the political risks of renewed military action against Iran as US President Donald Trump faced pressure ahead of congressional midterm elections scheduled for Nov. 3.

The proposal reportedly envisaged an exclusively ‘Israeli’ operation rather than a joint US-’Israeli’ attack.

The newspaper said ‘Israeli’ Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir opposed the move, warning American counterparts that a strike could trigger an Iranian response severe enough to disrupt ‘Israel’s’ political calendar and potentially postpone its general election, scheduled for Oct. 27.

Following Zamir’s intervention, Washington withdrew the proposal, at least for the time being, Maariv reported. The newspaper did not identify the sources behind its account.

Election concerns in Washington and Tel Aviv

The reported proposal reflected competing political calculations in Washington and Tel Aviv, according to Maariv.

American officials reportedly believed that an ‘Israeli’-led attack could limit the domestic political fallout for Trump ahead of the US midterm elections. 

A direct American military operation against Iran, by contrast, could carry political costs for the president as Republicans seek to retain their congressional majorities.

The report also suggested that an attack before ‘Israel’s’ own election could have been seen as advantageous to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, it said Netanyahu’s position on the proposal remained unclear.

The Jerusalem Post, which reported on Maariv’s account on Saturday, said the United States had since backed away from the demand. Netanyahu had held several meetings described as security-related during the preceding week, but their precise subjects were not disclosed.

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