Trump Blocked Israeli Plan for Days of Bombing in Iran, Financial Times Reports

US President Donald Trump reportedly opposed an Israeli plan for several days of intensive airstrikes against Iran, including nuclear facilities, power plants and other strategic sites, preventing the proposed operation from moving forward, according to an investigative report by the Financial Times.

The British newspaper reported on October 21, citing three people familiar with Israeli planning, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had prepared for a major military operation against Iran around October 10. The proposed campaign was reportedly expected to involve sustained airstrikes against strategic and civilian infrastructure, as well as government targets.

According to the report, the planned operation could have been more intensive than the joint US-Israeli military campaign launched against Iran earlier in the year. Israeli military planners reportedly identified additional targets using newly gathered intelligence, including facilities that had not been struck during the earlier campaign.

Why Trump opposed the operation

The Financial Times reported that Trump was reluctant to launch another major war with Iran before the November 3 US midterm elections. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly also indicated that Washington would not attack Iran before the elections.

Kelly described Iran as being in a weakened economic and military position and maintained that US pressure on Tehran would continue. The administration has also focused on the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to secure arrangements concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.

It remains unclear whether American forces were expected to participate directly in the proposed Israeli operation. One person familiar with the planning told the newspaper that renewed joint US-Israeli strikes in the coming weeks could not be ruled out.

Fresh target list reportedly presented to US officials

The report also said US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Israel and met Netanyahu and other senior officials. Israeli representatives reportedly presented American officials with an updated list of potential targets inside Iran, including facilities identified through new intelligence.

The US Department of Defense did not immediately comment on the matter, according to the newspaper. Netanyahu’s office also did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The Financial Times further reported that the proposed military preparations could have been intended, in part, to increase pressure on Tehran during negotiations. The final decision on a renewed campaign would depend heavily on Washington’s position.

Political and military uncertainty

The report described heightened security preparations in Israel ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections, including the cancellation of military leave. Israeli security officials reportedly expressed concerns about the consequences of launching a major war so close to the vote.

Netanyahu could remain in office temporarily while a new government is formed, even if his political bloc suffers an electoral setback. However, the newspaper noted that launching a full-scale war during such a transitional period would be an unusual step.

The central finding of the report is that an Israeli plan for sustained bombing was prepared but reportedly halted amid opposition from Trump. The possibility of renewed military action, however, remains unresolved.