According to a report in the Financial Times, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the IDF to prepare for a large-scale attack on Iran, scheduled for the weekend of October 10. The operation was to include days of intensive airstrikes on nuclear facilities, power plants, and regime targets.

However, the plan was halted because President Donald Trump opposed resuming hostilities ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. Nevertheless, Israel presented the Americans with an updated list of targets.