Netanyahu keeps option of strike on Iran open amid US uncertainty: 'Israeli' media

• ‘Israel’ is reportedly considering the possibility of renewed military action against Iran, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not ruling out a strike, according to Maariv.
• A separate Maariv report published October 10 said Washington had asked ‘Israel’ to conduct a unilateral strike on Iran before the US midterm elections, but later withdrew the request. US and ‘Israeli’ officials reportedly denied that Washington had made such a request.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not ruled out a military strike on Iran, according to the 'Israeli' newspaper Maariv, which cited an unnamed military official as tensions persist over Washington’s next steps in the conflict.

The official described US policy toward Iran as inconsistent, saying Washington’s position appeared to change from one day to the next.

“The Americans are in a state of confusion and do not understand what they really want, with positions changing day after day,” the official said, according to Maariv.

The official added that Washington sometimes appeared to be moving toward military action, only for President Donald Trump to state the following day that the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.

Trump said on October 8 that the United States would not resume attacks on Iran before the elections, citing ongoing discussions with Tehran.

According to Maariv, ‘Israel’ carried out intensive military preparations over the past week amid concerns that tensions could escalate into a wider confrontation with Iran.

However, the official said the ‘Israeli’ army was not currently preparing to launch a preemptive strike.

The report did not specify the nature of the preparations or indicate that Netanyahu had made a final decision on military action.

In a separate report published Saturday, Maariv said Washington had asked ‘Israel’ to carry out a unilateral operation against Iran during discussions over the previous two weeks.

According to that report, US officials wanted ‘Israel’ to assume responsibility for a potential strike amid concerns about the political consequences of renewed US military action before the November midterms.

The newspaper subsequently reported that Washington had backed away from the request, although Netanyahu’s position remained unclear. Two US officials and one ‘Israeli’ official later denied to Channel 12 correspondent Barak Ravid that Washington had asked ‘Israel’ to strike Iran before the elections. 

The reports point to uncertainty over the timing and scope of any potential military action against Iran, with the positions of Washington and Netanyahu remaining central to the situation.

While Maariv reported that Netanyahu had not ruled out a strike, it also cited a military official saying the army was not preparing for a preemptive attack at present.

Neither report establishes that a new strike has been authorized. The possibility of further military action remains distinct from a confirmed decision to resume attacks.