Washington pressed Israel to strike Iran alone, then withdrew the request

Washington asked Israel to launch a unilateral strike on Iran, then withdrew, as electoral timelines in both countries delayed renewed attacks.

• Israel's Ma'ariv reported Washington requested a solo Israeli strike on Iran during two weeks of consultations, before stepping back.
• Israeli chief of staff Eyal Zamir told US officials such an attack would likely postpone Israel's elections, prompting the retreat.
• The US is moving the carrier Theodore Roosevelt to join two others, reaching three carriers in the region by late October.
• Bloomberg reported Iran retained missile and drone production capacity; the White House rejected that, saying US strikes destroyed those capabilities.