Report says U.S. halted Israel operation plan before election

A reported U.S. intervention halted preparations for an Israeli operation against Iran before Israel’s October 27 election, according to an account that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office denied. The proposed operation was not carried out, the report said, but its nature and intended targets were not disclosed.

The account, attributed to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, said Netanyahu sought to advance the operation with the support of Mossad chief Roman Gofman. Several senior Israeli security officials reportedly opposed it, warning that military action could lead to escalation with Iran and potentially delay the election. Gofman was described as the only senior security official supporting the proposal.

Channel 12 reported that preparations had advanced before information about them reached Washington, prompting the United States to intervene. The circumstances by which U.S. officials learned of the reported plans were not independently established in the reports. One account said an Israeli security operative inadvertently alerted Washington.

Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister had made clear that an attack before the Israeli election was not on the agenda....