The United States will not launch a military strike against the Islamic Republic of Iran before the 3 November US midterm elections, the White House has said, while a Financial Times report claimed that the Israel regime had recently prepared plans for a renewed large-scale attack on Iranian targets.

According to the Financial Times, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed military officials in early October to prepare a new offensive against Iran. Citing three people familiar with the matter, the newspaper reported that the proposed operation would have targeted not only Iran's nuclear facilities but also power stations, civilian infrastructure and other sites linked to the Iranian government.

The report said the strikes had initially been planned for the weekend of 10 October, but were not carried out after US President Donald Trump opposed any escalation before the congressional midterm elections. The newspaper said Washington wanted to avoid the outbreak of a new regional conflict ahead of the vote.

White House rules out military action before election

Responding to the report, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said Iran was "in a very bad position economically and militarily," arguing that Washington's pressure campaign had significantly weakened Tehran.

Kelly also reiterated the administration's position on military action, saying: "The United States will not attack Iran before the midterm elections."

She argued that US measures targeting Iran's economy, including restrictions affecting oil exports and maritime trade, had increased pressure on Tehran without the need for immediate military action.

Attack reportedly delayed, not abandoned

While ruling out military action before the election, US officials did not indicate whether such an option would remain under consideration afterward.

According to the Financial Times, one source familiar with the discussions said it would not be "an unreasonable scenario" for Washington and the Israel regime to resume military operations against Iran in the coming weeks if diplomatic efforts failed.

Another source quoted by the newspaper described the situation by saying: "Either there will be an agreement, or there will be an attack." The report suggested that the possibility of military action was also being used to increase pressure on Tehran during ongoing negotiations over its nuclear programme and developments in the Strait of Hormuz.

Diplomatic contacts continue

The Pentagon had not commented on the reported plans at the time the Financial Times article was published.

Earlier this month, President Trump also stated that the United States would not attack Iran before the midterm elections and confirmed that contacts with Tehran were continuing. However, neither the White House nor the Pentagon has ruled out possible military options beyond the election period.

The report comes amid continuing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, while tensions remain high over Iran's nuclear programme, regional security and maritime activity in the Gulf.

Although the White House has publicly ruled out military action before the election, the reported Israeli preparations and the absence of any commitment regarding the period after 3 November have fuelled speculation that the military option remains under consideration if diplomacy fails.(ILKHA)