Politics · Other · 59 mins ago
Israel says it will not attack Iran before parliamentary election
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said the country will not start an attack on Iran before the October 27 election.
He was responding to media reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership was considering action that could sharply raise tensions with Iran.
The reports also described a dispute between Netanyahu and military chief Eyal Zamir, but Katz said there was full coordination between the government and the army.
Netanyahu also denied the reported account.
Katz said Israel would respond with great force if Iran attacked it.
The dispute has become part of the political debate ahead of the vote, as opposition politicians criticized Netanyahu and Katz over the reports.
After the election, the winning party’s leader must try to form a government, but polls cited in the reports show neither political bloc assured of the 61 seats needed for a majority.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel had no intention of attacking Iran before the October 27 parliamentary election.
His statement followed media reports alleging that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sought a military strike and faced opposition from military leaders.
Netanyahu’s office rejected a report about an attack plan as fake news, while Katz also denied that Israel planned to strike Iran before the vote.
Reports said army chief Eyal Zamir had warned against military action shortly before the election.
Katz said Israel would respond forcefully if Iran attacked it.
- Who
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would not initiate an attack on Iran before the election.
- What
- Katz denied reports of plans for a pre-election attack. Reports also alleged disagreement between Netanyahu and army chief Eyal Zamir.
- When
- Katz made his statement on October 26, 2026. Israel’s parliamentary election was scheduled for October 27.
- Where
- Israel; the alleged military action concerned Iran.
- Why
- Katz said he was responding to media reports. The sources do not state why an attack was allegedly considered.
Israeli officials denying a planned attack
Media reports alleging plans for an attack
Pre-election attack
Israeli officials denying a planned attack
Katz said Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the election. Netanyahu’s office called a report about an attack plan fake news.
Media reports alleging plans for an attack
Reports said Netanyahu sought a strike before the election and tried to persuade US President Donald Trump to support a joint attack.
Military leadership
Israeli officials denying a planned attack
Katz said reports of disagreements between political leaders and the military were false.
Media reports alleging plans for an attack
Reports said army chief Eyal Zamir opposed or warned against military action shortly before the election.
Israeli TV channel N12 reported a conflict between Netanyahu and army chief Eyal Zamir over a possible military action involving Iran.
Katz denied that Israel intended to initiate an attack on Iran before the election.
Israel’s parliamentary election was scheduled to take place.
Bild reported allegations that Netanyahu had sought a pre-election strike and that Trump had not approved a joint attack.
- Election date
- October 27, 2026
- Israeli defense minister
- Israel Katz
- Israeli prime minister
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Army chief named in reports
- Eyal Zamir
- Iran response
- Katz said Israel would respond with great force if Iran attacked Israel.
3 sources
What people are saying
I state unequivocally that Israel has no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel
if Iran attacks Israel, we will respond with great force
Netanyahu really wanted it and tried to convince Trump to join an attack on Iran before the elections, and Trump gave no green light.
Fake News