Israel maintains highest state of alert on eve of US midterm elections

Trump has repeatedly pledgednot to launch new strikesagainst Iran before the midterm elections, while suggesting thatmilitary operations could resumeafterward, amid a continued US military buildup in the region and stalleddiplomatic efforts., Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has been pushing for renewed strikes against Iran, ostensibly aimed at overthrowing its government, although Israeli officials acknowledge that the final decision rests with the White House.

Israeli news website. Wallareported Monday that the military remained on high alert amid US and Israeli concerns that Iran could launch a surprise attack, either directly or through allied groups, against American interests in the region or Israel.

The report said intelligence agencies fear Tehran could stage a large-scale military provocation that might influence the US midterm elections. Read:US midterms: Polls show Democrats ahead in battle for Congress. Wallasaid the Israeli military had intensified defensive and offensive preparations in recent weeks in coordination with US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Pentagon.

Citing unnamed Israeli military officials, the website said security coordination between Israel and the US had reached its highest levels and that Israel would receive advance warning if Washington decided to attack Iran.

However, Israeli military assessments suggest that the likelihood of a US preemptive strike before the midterm elections remains low, as Trump prefers to exhaust diplomatic negotiations and pressure before resorting to military action,.

Wallaalso said that more than 3,000 US troops were stationed in Israel, noting that no unusual increase in American military aircraft arrivals had been recorded over the past week, unlike the periods preceding previous escalations.

The report added that Israeli officials believe Tehran is seeking to buy time in negotiations with Washington, while disagreements persist over Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missiles. Concerns over renewed war.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have persisted since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran in February, followed by aceasefire in Aprilandrenewed confrontationsbetween the US and Iran in July. The developments come amid warnings that Netanyahu could seek to push Washington toward another military confrontation with Tehran.

In an article published Sunday, Haaretzmilitary analyst Amos Harel warned that Netanyahu might resort to military and political escalation to remain in power, using the Iranian issue and pressures surrounding the US midterm elections. Harel also warned against attempts by Netanyahu to persuade Washington to resume military operations despite lacking a domestic mandate to launch another war.

Read More:Trump's approval falls to record low of 31% as midterms near, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds. Israeli. Channel 12reported Sunday that Netanyahu had pressed Trump during a phone conversation to resume the war against Iran after the US midterm elections, while the American president preferred to give diplomacy another chance.

The heightened security alert also comes amid political uncertainty in Israel following last week’s parliamentary elections. Netanyahu’s blocsecured 53 seatsin the 120-member Knesset, compared with 48 for opposition parties led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot and 19 for Arab parties.

No bloc secured the 61 seats required to form a government, leaving Israel facing a political deadlock. The results have complicated efforts to form a governing coalition amid disagreements among opposition parties over whether toseek support from Arab parties.