The "Maariv" newspaper quoted an Israeli military official as saying that Israel has witnessed intensive preparations in anticipation of a potential escalation with Iran or the outbreak of a comprehensive confrontation, although the Israeli army is not currently preparing to launch a pre-emptive strike against it.
The official added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not rule out launching a strike against Iran, pointing out that American positions are constantly changing, as Washington sometimes appears headed toward launching an attack, before US President Donald Trump announced that he would not attack Iran before the midterm elections scheduled for next November 3.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that his country will not abandon negotiations, pointing out that Tehran is reviewing mutual proposals through intermediaries in preparation for finalizing them.
Pezeshkian said that Iran's goal is to "end the conflict while guaranteeing Iran's legitimate rights under international law," at a time when indirect contacts between Tehran and Washington are continuing.
Trump had announced that the United States would not launch an attack on Iran before the midterm elections, noting that Washington is conducting "fruitful talks" with Tehran.
Trump stated, in a post on the "Truth Social" platform, that Iran is going through a "very bad" economic and military situation, and that the blockade imposed on it is "operating at full force and effectiveness." He also noted the passage of 22 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, saying that oil is flowing through it in record quantities.
In a military context, the "Axios" website reported that American officials briefed Israel on military preparations for the potential execution of operations against Iran, without making a final decision regarding the resumption of a large-scale attack.
According to the website, any return to fighting could include intensive strikes targeting Iran's energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities. Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir also held a conversation with senior American officials regarding military preparations for the potential resumption of operations.
Axios pointed out that Zamir warned that the resumption of war could lead to the postponement of Israeli elections, amid estimates that Iran would respond with missile attacks on Israel.
The "The Atlantic" magazine reported that the White House asked the US Department of Defense to prepare options for striking targets in Iran before the midterm elections, noting that the scale of the strikes and potential targets are still under discussion.
On the diplomatic track, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that his country is studying the American proposals and intends to submit an official response to them, as the exchange of messages through intermediaries continues.
Araghchi explained that Tehran put forward an initiative called the "Seven-Day Plan" and listened in return to American viewpoints, stressing the continuation of the negotiating process.
In late September, Iran had put forward the "Seven-Day Plan" through intermediaries with the aim of de-escalating and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, in preparation for resuming negotiations with the United States, while Washington did not agree to the plan.
During the past weeks, Iran and the United States exchanged proposals aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, without reaching an agreement so far to end the confrontation.
