Netanyahu doubles down on warning that Iran might attack ahead of elections amid renewed threats

With U.S. President Donald Trump weighing a possible resumption of military operations in Iran, Israel is preparing for a renewed conflict – either in response to an Iranian provocation ahead of the Israeli elections or as part of a joint operation with American forces.

The Iranian regime has been preparing the public for the possibility of renewed fighting through propaganda activities, expanded military exercises, and political rallies, according to a recent report in The Wall Street Journal. Senior Iranian officials have publicly stated that the country's infrastructure is being prepared for possible hostilities. 

According to the WSJ, senior Iranian officials have warned Arab officials that Gulf states could be targeted if the conflict resumes, indicating Tehran could target Saudi oil facilities and United Arab Emirates information infrastructure. 

Tehran has also indicated that it plans to target American forces in the region more aggressively.

Israeli officials assess that Iran could launch attacks on the Jewish state in an attempt to disrupt or influence the upcoming elections.

On Tuesday, both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of potential Iranian attacks ahead of the Oct. 27 elections.

“We are identifying attempts by our enemies – led by Iran and its proxies – to instigate attacks that would influence the election results in Israel,” Katz said at an inauguration ceremony for the Museum of the Irgun and Altalena in Tel Aviv.

“Let our enemies know: whoever attacks us – whether before the elections or after – and whoever harms IDF soldiers or Israeli citizens will have their hand severed and pay the heaviest price.” 

The warning by Katz came as the Alma Research and Education Center published a report on a recent IDF strike targeting Yusuf Ali al-Hassoun, a Syrian terror operative under the Iranian regime. 

🎯ON THE SYRIA-LEBANON BORDER: The Syrian terrorist Yusuf Ali Al-Hassoun was struck. Hassoun operated under the direction of the Iranian regime & advanced terrorist attacks targeting Israeli civilians & IDF soldiers operating in southern Syria. Over the past year, Al-Hassoun advanced attacks against IDF soldiers that were thwarted, including the launching of explosive drones and rockets toward IDF soldiers in southern Syria.

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 9, 2026

The Israel Defense Forces said that al-Hassoun worked to execute terrorist plots against IDF troops over the past year, which had all been thwarted. 

At the same time, Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Iran could target Israel as part of an attempt to influence the upcoming election. 

During a visit to the so-called “Seam Line” in Samaria on Tuesday, Netanyahu was asked about reports of an Iranian plan to attack Israel. 

“I can tell you that’s right,” Netanyahu responded. “They want to do it directly or via one of their proxies.” 

He added that Iran may try to launch such an attack in Judea and Samaria. 

Netanyahu warned Israel’s enemies against testing the country in the run-up to the elections.

“I do not suggest that our enemies put us to the test,” the prime minister said. “You will encounter a level of power here that you never dreamed of.” 

Meanwhile, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported that Netanyahu spoke with President Trump last week about the possibility of renewing the war against Iran, even before the Israeli and U.S. elections. 

Ravid cited “senior American officials,” who said that Netanyahu pointed to “troubling steps” Iran is taking to rehabilitate its nuclear program. 

However, Ravid also cited a White House official who said those reports were “false.” 

“The President has said that we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections,” he told Ravid. 

According to Ravid's report, Trump and Netanyahu discussed the potential of a joint U.S.-Israeli operation targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites due to the rehabilitation efforts. 

Israel is reportedly concerned that renewed fighting with Iran before the elections could lead to their postponement, a possibility also raised by some of Netanyahu’s political opponents.

In an interview with Army Radio on Wednesday, Netanyahu promised to end the Iranian threat.

"We've done 90% of the work; there's still work to be done. In the next two years, we will eliminate Hamas once and for all; we will eliminate Hezbollah, we will bring down Iran," Netanyahu said.

He also mentioned potential Iranian threats ahead of the elections.

"Our enemies want to attack us in these days," Netanyahu stated. "Iran's proxies want to fire rockets, carry out an attack."

Defense officials believe that despite the severe economic sanctions imposed by the U.S., Iran has used the ceasefire to rehabilitate its ballistic missile and drone capabilities ahead of any renewed conflict. 

However, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) denied that Netanyahu is looking to renew hostilities with Iran before the elections. 

“The prime minister maintains an ongoing dialogue with President Trump and senior U.S. administration officials, and does not address the content of the conversations between them,” the PMO stated.