U.S. Reportedly Urged Israel to Strike Iran Alone, Then Dropped Demand

American interlocutors reportedly demanded that Israel carry out an attack in Iran on its own during contacts between the two countries over the past two weeks. The reported demand was for an Israeli operation, rather than a U.S. or joint attack, and has since been withdrawn, according to the account disclosed on October 10. The account linked the demand to concern that an American attack before the U.S. midterm elections could hurt President Donald Trump politically. It also said the Americans believed Israel would want to act before its own elections.