No Need to Strike Iran Before Election, Says IDF Chief
IDF Chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says there is no immediate need to strike Iran before the Knesset election, despite PM Netanyahu's warnings.
As Israel prepares for its upcoming Knesset election on October 27, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has clarified the military's current stance on potential operations against Iran. According to a report by the Times of Israel citing Channel 13, Zamir stated that he does not currently see an operational necessity to strike Iran before election polls open next week.
While the military chief indicated that there are no immediate indications requiring a preemptive hit, he remained firm on the IDF's readiness. Zamir emphasized that if the situation changes and a strike on Iran is determined to be necessary, the military will carry it out.
Netanyahu’s Warning: 'Weapons of Death'
This cautious military assessment comes amidst aggressive rhetoric from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking at a graduation ceremony for IDF cadets at the Bahad 1 training facility in southern Israel, Netanyahu issued a stern warning regarding Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
The Prime Minister asserted that the Iranian regime has failed to learn from past events, specifically pointing to Mojtaba Khamenei. Netanyahu claimed that Iran is once again attempting to develop "weapons of death," suggesting that the safety has been "taken off."
"Therefore, there is only one way to remove this threat once and for all, to topple the regime in Iran, and that is my directive to the IDF, the Mossad and the security agencies," Netanyahu declared.
Trump Weighs In: 'Can't Let Iran Have a Nuclear Weapon'
The tension is further amplified by the stance of US President Donald Trump, who has reiterated his administration's hardline approach toward Tehran. Trump insisted that the United States cannot permit Iran to acquire nuclear capabilities, claiming he is taking the decisive actions that his predecessors failed to implement.
Defending his aggressive strategy, Trump noted that while some critics may disagree, his actions are supported by "great patriots." He suggested that Washington might intensify its pressure campaign, stating, "We've knocked the hell out of them, and we may go a little further."
Accusations of Oil Market Manipulation
Beyond the nuclear threat, President Trump has also accused the Iranian leadership of attempting to manipulate global economics. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump alleged that Iran is manufacturing crises to artificially inflate crude oil prices ahead of the US midterm elections.
Trump dismissed claims of major disruptions in the Persian Gulf, asserting that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain high. He accused Tehran of fabricating reports of "fake hits" and mines to create a sense of instability in the critical maritime corridor.