US ready to strike Iran 'within 96 hours' of Trump's order, Israel pushes for joint attack - report
US forces are prepared to launch a major attack against Iran "within 96 hours" of receiving the order from US President Donald Trump, two US officials told CNN on Sunday.While Trump has not made a final decision on whether to commit to major military action after the US midterms, officials said any attack that would be conducted would "be a big effort," going beyond prior US strikes against Iranian assets that can be quickly rebuilt, such as missile launchers and radars.One source briefed on the matter told CNN that Israel had been preparing for possibly striking Iran, as well as lobbying the US to participate in the strikes.However, US officials, including Trump, told Israel to hold off on attacking, likely until after the midterm elections.“The plans are ready, waiting for Trump's approval, could be after the midterms,” the source said.Iran, Houthis unlikely to preemptively strike, but ready for retaliationTwo other sources told CNN that both Iran and the Houthis were taking the possibility of renewed US attacks very seriously, according to US intelligence.Any attack launched by the US - or Israel - would trigger immediate retaliation against US personnel and facilities in the Middle East, the sources added, which is one of the reasons the US is expected to withdraw more personnel from its embassies in the region.However, one source familiar with US intelligence assessments said that officials believe that both Iran and the Houthis were unlikely to preemptively strike US or Israeli infrastructure at this stage.
The White House declined to comment, while a senior Pentagon official told CNN that “The Department is a planning organization, and its job is to develop and execute military options ordered by the President.”
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article says only that 'Israel' prepared and lobbied for strikes. The same CNN report, as other outlets carried it, said Netanyahu wanted a joint attack before Israel's elections and Trump refused. It also said the IOF chief of staff warned that an attack could hurt or postpone the vote, and Defence Minister Katz denied any plan to strike before the election. Without this, a reader believes a united Israeli state lobbied for strikes on strategic grounds. The reported push came from the prime minister ahead of his own election, over his army chief's warning.
How we know
- Times of Israel reported“Netanyahu really wanted and tried to convince Trump for a joint attack in Iran before the elections, and Trump did not give a green light”Netanyahu pushed for Iran strike before election but Trump refused, CNN says (opens in a new tab)
- Antiwar.com reported“IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had told Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine that an attack on Iran could hurt the Israeli elections”CNN: US Forces Ready To Launch Major Attacks Against Iran Within 96 Hours of Receiving an Order From Trump (opens in a new tab)
- Times of Israel reported“Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel”Netanyahu pushed for Iran strike before election but Trump refused, CNN says (opens in a new tab)