Maariv: U.S. pressed Israel to strike Iran alone before elections, then dropped request after Zamir warned fighting could delay Israel’s vote

U.S. officials urged Israel during talks over the past two weeks to launch a unilateral strike on Iran, Maariv reported. Washington wanted Israel to bear the political risks of military action ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, believing Israel might favor an attack before its own election, the newspaper said.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned that renewed fighting could delay Israel’s vote. The United States has since dropped its request, according to the report; the pressure was reportedly linked to concern over Iran’s rapid rebuilding of its ballistic-missile and drone production capabilities.

Israel’s parliamentary election is scheduled for October 27, 2026, one week before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3.