Netanyahu revives the threat to attack Iran before the elections

JerusalemThe possibility of a new open war with Iran is once again looming over Israel in the final stretch of the election campaign. Less than a week before the legislative elections on October 27, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified threats against Tehran and claimed the need to resume the military offensive. A rhetorical escalation that coincides with reports of bombing plans that Donald Trump allegedly halted and with the surprise visit of US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, to Israel.

Netanyahu's message is explicit: the campaign against the Islamic Republic is not over and the overthrow of the Iranian regime remains a priority objective. This Tuesday, during the inauguration ceremony of the academic year at Tel-Hai College, in northern Israel, the prime minister assured that it is necessary to "complete the elimination of the Iranian regime" and revealed that he has spoken about it repeatedly with Trump during these days.

The politician's latest statements came after he released two videos on Monday filmed at the Ramat David airbase, in northern Israel. In one, Netanyahu warned the country's adversaries not to test Israeli determination and claimed the "preparedness, determination, and capability" of the air force to attack whenever necessary. The other included a fragment of a telephone conversation with Trump, whom he thanked for his support for his re-election. During the conversation, the prime minister again pointed to the need to resume attacks: both leaders, he said, have "a job to finish" and will finish it "together".

A new offensive halted by Trump

All of this coincides with information that has reinforced concern over the possibility that the bombings might resume. According to the Financial Times, Netanyahu had reportedly ordered the army in early October to prepare a new campaign against Iran, which ultimately did not take place due to Trump's opposition to reopening the war before the midterm elections in the United States on November 3.

The Israeli army had reportedly been ready to attack nuclear facilities and infrastructure such as power plants during the weekend of October 10. According to the British newspaper, the operation could have been more intense than the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel in February. This information reinforces what was broadcast last week by the Israeli channel Channel 12, according to which Netanyahu had pressured the American president to resume attacks against Iran before the elections. However, the Israeli prime minister has denied on several occasions that he wants to start a war before the polls.

In this context, Pete Hegseth's visit to Israel two days ago has further fueled speculation about a possible resumption of the offensive against the Persian country. The meeting, which had not been previously announced, took place at the Ovda airbase, in the south of the country, where American combat and tanker aircraft are deployed. During the conversation, Hegseth and Netanyahu reportedly addressed regional threats and cooperation between the two countries, at a time of diplomatic deadlock between Washington and Tehran and just after Trump had publicly expressed his support for the Israeli prime minister's reelection.

On Sunday, the American president threatened to "finish the job soon" in Iran and suggested that he would only do so if Netanyahu remained in power. "If Israel has the wrong leader –that is to say, anyone other than Bibi–, the United States will have to do this job on its own, and I am not willing to do that," he stated.

The military signals of these days have also increased the concern. According to Fox News, the United States has deployed a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, while Israeli combat aircraft reportedly participated on Tuesday night in maneuvers in the direction of Iran, overflying Syria and Iraq.

As of now, there is no new confirmed offensive, but Netanyahu's threats and military activity in the region keep the risk of a resumption of attacks against Iran alive, with the Israeli elections approaching and the diplomatic path stalled.