Israeli Air Force F-35 Adir. (IAF)
Netanyahu told Trump he was concerned about Israeli intelligence indicating Iran was rebuilding its nuclear program.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets and refueling aircraft flew through Syrian and Iraqi airspace to near the Iranian border overnight Monday into Tuesday in a training exercise Israel said was intended to deter Iran ahead of the October 27 elections, according to Israeli and US officials.
The aircraft traveled more than 800 miles from Israel along a route consistent with a potential strike against Iran before turning around near the Iranian border and returning to Israel, officials said.
Israel notified Washington in advance and described the operation as a training exercise for “power projection” aimed at deterring Iran from attacking Israel before the elections.
Some US officials, however, said they believed Israel may have hoped Iranian forces would fire at the aircraft, potentially providing justification for Israeli strikes against Iran.
US officials said Israeli planners knew Iranian air defense systems would detect the sortie.
Other Israeli and US officials said the exercise was not unusual and was intended as a deterrent.
Fox News reported Tuesday that the Israeli Air Force conducted a drill toward Iran.
The sortie occurred on the same day Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Israel’s Ovda Air Base, but the operation was not connected to Hegseth’s visit.
Axios reported last week that Netanyahu and President Trump discussed in early October the possibility of a major new operation against Iran before the Israeli and US elections.
Netanyahu told Trump he was concerned about Israeli intelligence indicating Iran was taking steps to reconstitute its nuclear program.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine that renewed fighting during that period could result in the Israeli elections being postponed because Iran would probably retaliate, according to the sources.
Trump initially appeared inclined to resume attacks before becoming hesitant and ultimately deciding against Netanyahu’s proposal.
An Israeli official said Zamir would not permit unjustified military activity that could undermine the Oct. 27 elections.
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