Netanyahu Planned Renewed Iran Strikes Earlier This Month but Held Off, Reports Say

Summary

Israel is pushing to restart strikes against Iran, according to the Financial Times, which reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made plans for an extensive operation earlier this month but held off. The Times of Israel, citing the FT, says Trump opposed the attack and that the strikes would have been 'more intense' than those in February, with the war's resumption after the US and Israeli elections described as 'not unreasonable.' The New York Times reports that the US and Israel are drawing up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the elections, while noting that renewed hostilities might not be any more successful than the war's first phase and that Trump has repeatedly canceled plans for a return to major combat.

Timeline

1. Financial Times

   21 Oct 2026, 04:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that Israel is pushing to restart strikes against Iran, and that Netanyahu made plans for an extensive operation earlier this month but held off.

2. The Times of Israel

   21 Oct 2026, 11:44 UTCSource ↗

   The Times of Israel, citing a Financial Times report, says Netanyahu planned an attack on Iran earlier this month but Trump opposed it, and that the strikes would have been 'more intense' than in February.

3. The New York Times

   21 Oct 2026, 22:41 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that the U.S. and Israel are drawing up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the elections, and that renewed hostilities might not be more successful than the war's first phase.