— 🇺🇸/🇮🇱/🇮🇷 New: According to reports, the US urged Israel in recent weeks to launch a unilateral attack on Iran, instead of carrying out a joint operation like in February

Washington wanted Israel to bear the political risk of further escalation in the Middle East ahead of the US mid-term elections, believing that a strike could hurt Trump politically but benefit Netanyahu ahead of the Israeli elections.

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned US officials that such an attack would force Israel to postpone its elections. Washington has reportedly dropped the demand for now.

The proposed strike was prompted by intelligence indicating that Iran is rapidly rebuilding its drone and ballistic missile production capabilities despite months of U.S. and Israeli strikes. – Maariv