Israel’s plans for a counter-strike against Iran are reportedly prepared, with American officials anticipating an attack to occur before the upcoming U.S. elections.
This potential military response from Israel follows Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack on the Jewish state, which escalated tensions in the Middle East just weeks ahead of the elections on November 5.
Sources informed CNN that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows U.S. political dynamics.
He noted that while the timing of Israel’s military response is not directly linked to the U.S. election, he remains concerned about its implications for Israel’s interests.
According to the Washington Post, Netanyahu aims to execute the strike to avoid any perceived “political interference” in the U.S. elections.
In the wake of the October 1 missile attack, which saw nearly 200 missiles targeting Israel and resulting in one Palestinian fatality, Netanyahu has vowed that Iran will “pay” for its aggression.
However, he assured President Biden that the Israeli Defense Forces’ response would be limited to military targets, steering clear of sensitive sites like oil refineries and nuclear facilities, as the Biden-Harris administration publicly opposes an attack on such critical infrastructure due to fears of igniting a more significant conflict.
Other Middle Eastern nations have also advised Israel against targeting Iran’s oil fields, which could lead to increased oil prices and subsequently impact American voters.
Analysts suggest that rising gas prices might hurt Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming elections, as voters typically hold the ruling party accountable for economic challenges.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has surfaced as a significant concern for Democratic voters, particularly younger ones, amid reports of approximately 42,000 Palestinian deaths over the past year, as reported by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently cautioned that the U.S. may reconsider military aid to Israel if it does not enhance humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
In a show of support, U.S. officials announced plans to deploy the advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and troops to Israel, despite warnings from Iran for the U.S. to withdraw its forces.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that President Biden authorised this deployment to counter the ballistic missile threats posed by Iran.
