Israel prepares strike on Iran as Trump restrains escalation before US midterms

Hegseth met Netanyahu in Israel as reports say Israel prepared an air campaign on Iran while Washington ruled out strikes before the Nov 3 midterms.

• US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel, meeting Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.
• The Financial Times reported that Netanyahu ordered the military to prepare a multi-day air campaign against Iranian power stations, nuclear sites and command centers.
• White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly said US measures have tightened the blockade on Iranian ports and ruled out any military strike before the elections.
• An Iranian security official told Press TV that Iran has decided to respond without restrictions to any targeting.
• Netanyahu said at a Dimona election rally that toppling the regime in Tehran is the only way to eliminate the Iranian threat, giving the military and Mossad instructions.
• The Financial Times reported that Trump opposed a renewed large-scale offensive, cancelling a planned operation exceeding February's 'Visiting Lion'.
• Israel's air force staged a large-scale exercise near Iran's border on October 19, flying dozens of fighter jets toward Iran before returning, Axios reported.
• US sources told Axios Israel hoped Iran would fire on the planes to provide a pretext for strikes.
• The New York Times reported US and Israeli militaries prepared specific strike plans on Iran after the midterms, targeting energy, nuclear and missile infrastructure.
• Kan reported Israeli security officials have reservations about attacking Iran before the October 27 election, fearing it would look like political interference.
• IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebi threatened to invade any country that attacks Iran as the force shifts to an offensive defence doctrine.