JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The United States allegedly pressed Israel to launch a unilateral strike against Iran during discussions over the past two weeks, but has since put the initiative on hold following warnings that renewed fighting could disrupt Israel’s upcoming elections, according to a report published Saturday by Maariv journalist Ben Caspit.

Caspit reported that Washington wanted Israel to attack Iran without American forces participating or joining a joint military operation. The reported request came amid concerns about Iran’s efforts to rebuild its ballistic missile and drone production capabilities following months of US and Israeli strikes.

The distinction is important: Caspit’s report describes an American request for an Israeli-only operation, while separate reporting by Channel 12 journalist Barak Ravid concerned US preparations for a possible American military offensive against Iran.

According to Caspit, the initiative was subsequently put on hold after IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned American counterparts that renewed hostilities could force Israel to postpone its October 27 elections.

Ravid reported on October 8 that senior American officers had told Zamir that the White House and Pentagon had instructed them to prepare for a possible large-scale attack on Iran within the following three weeks. According to Ravid’s report, Zamir warned that an Iranian response involving heavy missile fire could disrupt the Israeli election schedule.

The report cited a senior American official and another source familiar with the discussions. The IDF declined to comment on the reported conversations.

Caspit cited Ravid’s earlier reporting regarding Zamir’s warning, but the two reports describe different military scenarios: a possible US-led offensive in Ravid’s account and a demand for Israel to strike Iran independently in Caspit’s.

The reported request would have placed Israel in the position of assuming the immediate military and political risks of a renewed confrontation, while Washington avoided direct participation ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections.

According to Caspit, the American calculation was shaped partly by domestic politics. A new military campaign could further damage President Donald Trump’s standing with voters, particularly amid concerns about rising fuel prices and the economic consequences of the conflict. A strike by Israel, by contrast, would leave Washington less directly responsible for initiating the fighting.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position on the reported request remains unclear. Caspit said Netanyahu had held a series of sensitive security meetings in recent days, but did not establish whether he had accepted or rejected the proposal. 

The reports come as the Trump administration has sent conflicting signals about the possibility of renewed military action against Iran.

On October 8, Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, citing what he described as productive discussions with Tehran. His announcement followed reports that the Pentagon had directed US Central Command to complete preparations for possible major combat operations, although no final decision or timetable for an attack had been announced. 

The military preparations and the reported request for an Israeli-only strike have not been independently confirmed in full, and it remains unclear whether Washington has abandoned the idea permanently or merely postponed it.

Meanwhile, concerns about Iran’s remaining military capabilities continue to influence strategic discussions. Western officials have reportedly warned that Tehran retained production facilities capable of replenishing missile and drone stocks despite months of bombardment.

For Israel, the prospect of another round of fighting raises immediate security concerns as well as questions about the ability to hold elections during sustained Iranian missile attacks.

For now, the reported Israeli-only initiative appears to be on hold. Whether Washington will pursue another military option after the American midterms or return to seeking direct Israeli action remains uncertain.