Israel has heightened its readiness for a possible regional escalation, even as the prevailing assessment among Israeli officials is that neither Jerusalem nor Washington will initiate strikes against Iran before the upcoming Israeli and American elections.

With 12 days remaining before Israel’s Knesset election and less than three weeks before the U.S. midterms, officials believe Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump will seek to avoid the political risks of launching another military campaign.

Nevertheless, Israeli officials consider the possibility of renewed fighting significant, warning that an Iranian attack, action by Tehran’s proxies, or a miscalculation could overturn those expectations.

The possibility of striking Iran was discussed during Netanyahu’s conversation with Trump last week. Netanyahu reportedly fears that a military campaign in the remaining days before the election could damage Likud’s chances of remaining in power.

Israeli concerns include an attack by Iran or the Houthis in Yemen, potentially carried out through proxies or in a manner intended to obscure responsibility, that could trigger an Israeli response.

Officials are also preparing for a scenario in which each side mistakenly believes the other is about to attack and decides to strike first.

Israel has conveyed to Washington that an Iranian “mistake” would draw an exceptionally severe response, potentially unprecedented in scope despite the thousands of Iranian targets already struck during the war.

The security establishment is therefore maintaining heightened readiness for possible surprise attacks by Iran, Hezbollah, or the Houthis.

Israeli security officials said a decision to strike Iran would depend on Trump’s approval. People familiar with the matter claimed the president halted at least two proposed Israeli strikes over the summer that were based on Israeli intelligence indicating Tehran was rebuilding its nuclear program.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned commanders during an assessment at Central Command that “in light of the numerous warnings across all fronts and the sensitivity of the period, the potential for escalation has increased.”

Zamir has also reportedly told senior American administration and military officials that an escalation with Iran could lead to the postponement of Israel’s elections.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon delivered a warning Thursday ahead of a Security Council discussion.

“Do not try to exploit Israel’s election period,” he told Iran and Hezbollah. “Anyone who dares attack us will suffer a devastating blow.”

Trump’s recent statements have reflected the uncertainty surrounding Washington’s next move. At a campaign rally in Alaska on Tuesday, he threatened another major strike against Iran, saying, “Wait and see what we do to Iran.”

Last week, however, Trump said he would not launch another attack before the November 3 midterm elections.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)