# US and Israel draw up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the midterms, NYT reports

Conflict & Security · 22 October 2026 · Iran
URL: https://connectthedots.news/event/2026-10-22-us-and-israel-draw-up-plans-for-renewed-strikes-on-iran-after-the

> US officials told the New York Times the two militaries have plans for a short, intense campaign against Iran after the 3 November US midterm elections; Trump has not approved it.

The US and Israeli militaries have drawn up specific plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections on 3 November, the New York Times reported, citing US officials and others briefed on the deliberations. The plans envisage a short but intensive operation, and both militaries have stepped up exercises, including flying aircraft over Iraq to practise strike manoeuvres. [1][2]

According to the report, likely targets include Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities and missile and drone arsenals, and options include a possible strike on the deeply buried Pickaxe Mountain (Kooh Kolang) nuclear site. Some officials said refineries could be spared to avoid pushing up fuel prices. The report followed a visit to Israel by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that week. [1][2][3]

President Donald Trump has not approved new strikes and has repeatedly called off a return to major combat, most recently in early October when the militaries were close to attacking, the Times reported. Trump said on 9 October that the US would not attack Iran before the midterms; officials said there was a small chance he could act this month. A White House official declined to comment beyond saying "all options are on the table" to stop Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. [1][2]

Netanyahu called reports that he wants to strike but is being held back by Trump "incorrect". Israel holds an election on 27 October; analysts quoted by the Times said a caretaker prime minister would find it hard to launch a war. Iranian officials have threatened to widen retaliation to data centres and undersea internet cables, and Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful. [1][2]

The report comes as attacks on shipping around the Strait of Hormuz surge: at least 28 attacks on ships in the region this month, according to the Washington Institute's Noam Raydan, quoted by Stars and Stripes. Brent crude traded near $112 on Thursday, and the US is expected to have three aircraft carriers in the region by early November. [1][3]

## Who was involved

- [Donald Trump](https://connectthedots.news/person/donald-trump): Has not approved new strikes; pledged no attack before the 3 November midterms [1][2]
- [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://connectthedots.news/person/benjamin-netanyahu): Met Hegseth to discuss new strikes; called reports he is being held back "incorrect" [1][2]
- [Pete Hegseth](https://connectthedots.news/person/pete-hegseth): Visited Israel and met Netanyahu that week, per US officials [1][3]
- [US Central Command](https://connectthedots.news/org/us-central-command): Enforcing the blockade of Iranian ports; its commander said Iran's IRGC is growing desperate [3]
- [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps](https://connectthedots.news/org/islamic-revolutionary-guard-corps): Blamed by US commanders for the surge in attacks on Hormuz shipping [3]

## Linked stories

- Related to: [Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it hit seven ships near Hormuz and threatens US bases](https://connectthedots.news/event/2026-10-22-irans-revolutionary-guard-says-it-hit-seven-ships-near-hormuz-and) (22 October 2026)

## Sources

1. The New York Times (via The Irish Times), "US and Israel draw up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after midterm elections", 22 October 2026: https://www.irishtimes.com/world/us/2026/10/22/us-and-israel-draw-up-plans-for-renewed-strikes-on-iran-after-elections/
2. The Times of Israel, "US, Israel said to draft plans for resumed strikes on Iran after midterm elections", 22 October 2026: https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-israel-said-to-draft-plans-for-resumed-strikes-on-iran-after-midterm-elections/
3. Stars and Stripes, "US, Israel weigh new Iran strikes as attacks on Hormuz shipping mount", 22 October 2026: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/middle_east/2026-10-22/iran-us-strikes-trump-hormuz-23229734.html