Zamir says return to war with Iran may postpone Israel election as Pentagon prepares plans - report

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir was briefed on American military preparation for a return to fighting against Iran in the upcoming weeks, a senior American official told N12 News.

According to the sources, Zamir warned that a return to war within the next three weeks could cause the Israeli election, scheduled for October 27, to be postponed. This comes after an assessment that renewal of large-scale US attacks on Iran could lead to the Islamic Republic launching missiles at Israel, N12 added.

Senior American officials told N12 that US President Donald Trump is considering resuming fighting before American and Israeli elections, both of which fall in the next month. The sources added that a final decision on the timing of a US attack on Iran will be made in the next seven to ten days.

In contrast, Trump said in a post to Truth Social on Thursday that the US wouldn't launch an attack on Iran before midterm congressional elections.

"We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd," the president wrote. "IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!"

US increases military presence, prepares for short, intense return to fighting

Three US aircraft carriers will soon be in the Middle East, the New York Times said, adding that the Pentagon had developed a plan for a three-day campaign against Iran.

If a return to large-scale military operations in Iran goes ahead, the US expects it to be carried out in coordination with the IDF, N12 reported.

A report from the NYT added that the US military has drafted options for a short return to strikes, noting that planned targets include Iran's drone and missile arsenal, energy infrastructure, and military locations.

Senior officials told the NYT and N12 that Trump had initiated the preparations for a return to fighting, contrary to his recent rhetoric on Truth Social.

While Trump also spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, the two did not discuss Iran or a potential return to conflict, focusing instead on Netanyahu's position in the polls ahead of the Israeli election and the memorial day for October 7, a source told N12.

Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz

Since the last significant US attacks on Iran in September, the United Kingdom Maritime and Trade Operations (UKMTO) Center says that Islamic Republic has struck at least 13 ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, most recently on October 6, when an oil tanker was struck by an unknown projectile.

Despite increased attacks on ships transiting Hormuz, Trump claimed that oil is flowing "in record numbers" through the strait. "22 Million Barrels, last night alone, with not one barrel coming from, or going to, Iran!" the president claimed on Truth Social on Thursday.