Allied Intelligence — 2026-11-07

Times of Israel: PM and Mossad Chief Planned Iran Operation on Eve of Election, Thwarted After US Tip-Off

BLUFWashington's reported intervention to halt an Israeli strike on the eve of the October 27 election positions the US as the primary constraint on Israeli escalation against Iran during ongoing negotiations.

Israeli Channel 12 reported on Friday, in an unsourced and unconfirmed account broadcast under military censorship, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad chief Roman Gofman sought an unspecified operation against Iran on the eve of the October 27 election 123. Other senior security officials reportedly opposed it, fearing escalation that could prevent the vote 1. Channel 12 said a mistake by an Israeli security operative tipped off the US, which quickly moved to quash the plan 12. The Prime Minister's Office denied the report, saying Netanyahu clarified in real time that an attack before the election was not on the agenda 1. Earlier, Channel 12 had reported on October 25 that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir resisted an instruction from Netanyahu for military action that officials feared could trigger a flare-up with Iran 1.

Analysis
Netanyahu and Mossad chief Gofman reportedly pursued an Iran operation days before the October 27 vote, and Washington stopped it, which would make the US the brake on Israeli action during the Qatari-mediated talks. Confidence is low: the only original source is one unsourced Channel 12 broadcast under military censorship, the three other outlets merely amplify it, the Prime Minister's Office flatly denies it, and neither the US nor Iran has confirmed. The operation's nature, target and timing remain unestablished. The account fits earlier reports of Netanyahu's dispute with Chief of Staff Zamir and his pressing Trump to resume strikes after the US midterms. Security officials who opposed the move may instead have leaked it to constrain Netanyahu's options while coalition talks continue. Further official disclosures or US confirmation would show which is true.

4 sources

Report: PM, Mossad chief planned Iran op on eve of Israeli election; it was thwarted after US accidentally tipped off - Times of Israel
Netanyahu Sought to Conduct an Operation in Iran Before Israel's Elections But Was Stopped by the U.S.: Report - International Business Times
US Foiled Netanyahu's Iran Strike Plan Before Elections - Daily Beirut
Mossad Backs Iran Operation Opposed by Zamir as Netanyahu Faces Election Test - Palestine Chronicle