Trump blocks Israeli offensive against Iran planned for 10 October
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
Benjamin Netanyahu had asked the Israeli military to prepare an offensive against power plants, nuclear sites and targets linked to the Iranian regime for the weekend of 10 October. The operation was abandoned after opposition from Donald Trump, who wants to avoid a resumption of hostilities before the US midterm elections, according to the Financial Times.
US President Donald Trump blocked a major Israeli offensive against Iran that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered for the weekend of 10 October. The operation was due to target power plants, nuclear sites and targets linked to the Iranian regime, according to the Financial Times, which cited three sources close to the matter.
Donald Trump’s opposition was reportedly linked to his desire to avoid a resumption of hostilities before the US midterm elections on 3 November. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said Iran was facing “serious difficulties” economically and militarily, and that the United States would not attack before the election.
Israeli parliamentary elections are scheduled for 27 October. According to Axios, Benjamin Netanyahu pressured Donald Trump to resume the strikes before these two electoral deadlines. The Financial Times reported that a source close to the matter summed up the alternative as follows: “There will either be a deal or an attack.”
The decision comes as Donald Trump had described consultations with Tehran as “productive” on 8 October, while an Iranian spokesperson said on 16 October that the country had activated new military equipment. It follows the US-Israeli strikes of 28 February 2026 and the ceasefire announced in early April, which has been repeatedly violated since. Israeli political tensions are also central to the parliamentary elections on 27 October.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
