The Israel Defense Forces and the U.S. military have drawn up plans to renew joint strikes on Iran in the coming weeks, two Israeli sources familiar with the plans told ABC News.<\/p>\n
The Israeli sources said the strikes would almost certainly take place after the U.S. midterm elections, citing President Donald Trump\u2019s reluctance to further destabilize oil markets in the final days of the campaign.<\/p>\n
“Hunting season is open as soon as the elections end and it’s obvious that they’re not going to wait long,” one source said.<\/p>\n
The New York Times was first to report on the renewed planning. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the reporting and the Pentagon declined to comment.<\/p>\n
![\"Hormuz](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/250912bf-b4dd-4b2e-b15a-835ed4cab825\/iran-5-ht-gmh-261022_1792675265006_hpMain.jpg?w=375 "\\"Hormuz")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>U.S. Navy Command Master Chief John Shubert, assigned to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115, conducts leadership training aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Oct. 20, 2026.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n US Navy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is firmly in favor of renewed action against Iran, but both sources said the decision for joint strikes to resume is \u201conly for Trump to decide.\u201d<\/p>\n One Israeli source did not rule out Israel striking unilaterally should the U.S. choose not to participate, but added Israel would still require U.S. consent.<\/p>\n The plans to renew joint strikes were discussed during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth\u2019s unannounced visit to Israel earlier this week, according to one Israeli source, who added that new intelligence was shared between both sides.<\/p>\n Joint strikes would aim to further erode Iran\u2019s economy and build on the ongoing U.S. blockade, with targets to include the petrochemical facilities crucial to Iran\u2019s oil industry, the sources said.<\/p>\n One source also said that striking Iranian nuclear facilities, such as those at Pickaxe Mountain, is a part of the new plans, but added there are no plans to strike civilian infrastructure like power plants.<\/p>\n [abcimage=137475259]<\/p>\n One source added that regime change in Iran, and not a negotiated deal, is the Israeli government\u2019s top goal. \u201cThe only question is the timing,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n The White House said Thursday that the U.S. would not attack Iran prior to the midterm elections in response to reports Israel and the U.S. had drawn up new plans to strike Iran in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n “As President [Donald] Trump stated, Iran is in very bad condition, both economically and militarily, and the blockade will remain in full force and effect, with oil flowing in record numbers of barrels through the Hormuz Strait,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. “The United States will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections.”<\/p>\n