Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he directed Israel’s security agencies to seek Iran’s government’s fall, while The New York Times reported that the United States and Israel had prepared strike options for after Nov. 3.
At an Oct. 21 officer-graduation ceremony at Bahad 1, Netanyahu said he had directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Mossad and security agencies to pursue that goal. The Times based its report on U.S. officials and others briefed on the discussions.
The New York Times reported that exercises included flights over Iraq to rehearse strike maneuvers. It said potential targets included Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, as well as missile and drone capabilities. Neither the U.S. government nor Israel has publicly confirmed that a strike is authorized.
Some officials viewed renewed attacks as leverage for concessions from Tehran, the Times reported. It also said some planners favored avoiding oil refineries because damage could push fuel prices higher.
Netanyahu also accused Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei of reviving efforts to develop nuclear weapons. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office published a Hebrew transcript of the speech, which does not provide evidence supporting the allegation.
Netanyahu had voiced a call for Iran’s government to fall on Oct. 20, according to EconoTimes’ earlier report on his election-season pledge. U.S. President Donald Trump said in an Oct. 8 Truth Social post that the United States would not attack Iran before the midterms. Israel’s election is scheduled for Oct. 27, followed by the U.S. midterms on Nov. 3.
