The hours are now counting down to the outbreak of an uncontrollable conflagration in the Middle East, with the Trump administration issuing a 96-hour ultimatum of wartime hell to Tehran, the Revolutionary Guards pre-emptively pounding positions of Kurdish fighters in Erbil with drones, while Israel is now reported to be unable to engage in a strike against Iran, under fear of sweeping retaliation on the day of the country's parliamentary elections (October 27), as CNN reveals on October 26.
Specifically, Israel is reported to be canceling, at least for the immediate future, plans for new military strikes against Iran, while simultaneously preparing for the prospect of a joint military operation with the United States, but only after the American midterm elections.
Indeed, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned American General Dan Caine that a potential strike could severely disrupt the electoral process in Israel, causing upheavals in political planning and potentially leading even to the postponement of the Israeli elections.
At the same time, significant regional developments are signaled by the convening of a high-level four-party meeting in Tehran on October 26, with the participation of top officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
The «partners of Mecca» are now reportedly ready to sit at the same table with Iran, seeking a solution for de-escalation, amid concerns over retaliatory strikes by the IRGC against their own interests in the broader region.
Concurrently, they seek a way out, through the mediation of Tehran, so that de-escalation can also emerge on the front in Yemen, where the Houthis sweep through positions and infrastructure of Saudi Arabia on a daily basis.
And while the US-Israeli coalition leaks plans for large-scale strikes against Iran, several unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) of the Shahed-136 type were launched from the Piranshahr region toward Iraqi Kurdistan.
The message from Tehran may be indirect and pre-emptive, but it reached Tel Aviv and... Washington loud and clear, even by way of Kurdistan.
Israeli bombshell message to the Pentagon: We are not striking Iran, fearing retaliation amid elections
Specifically, Israel is reportedly suspending, at least for the immediate future, plans for new military strikes against Iran, while simultaneously preparing for the prospect of a joint military operation with the United States after the American midterm elections.
According to information broadcast by CNN, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exerted pressure on US President Donald Trump, in order to secure his approval for conducting a coordinated military strike against Iran before the elections.
However, Trump reportedly refused to give the «green light» for the operation.
The same report states that the head of the Israeli armed forces, Eyal Zamir, warned American General Dan Caine that a potential attack could severely impact the electoral process in Israel, causing disruptions to political planning and potentially leading even to the postponement of the Israeli elections.
This information suggests that, despite the temporary suspension of plans for new military strikes, the prospect of a coordinated US-Israeli operation against Tehran remains under consideration.
Unthinkable: Trump ready to impose a Netanyahu government with or without a Likud election victory
Meanwhile, allies of Donald Trump are engaged in secret negotiations to achieve an agreement that will allow Benjamin Netanyahu to remain in power, even if he is defeated in the elections of Tuesday, October 27, according to a report by The Washington Post.
The White House is examining the prospect of forming a national unity government, within the framework of which Netanyahu would abandon his far-right governing partners and share power with his political opponent Gadi Eisenkot.
Netanyahu has committed privately to American and European officials that he will remove Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, provided this allows him to form a more moderate governing coalition.
Concurrently, he has argued to Washington that he represents the most suitable partner for Israel for resuming the war against Iran.
According to the report, allies of Trump have already discussed the prospect of forming such a national unity government with Israeli officials.
Leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in Tehran
Significant regional developments are signaled, according to information, by the convening of a high-level four-party meeting in Tehran, with the participation of top officials from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
The talks were reportedly hosted by the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Mohsen Rezai, while subsequently Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also participated in the consultations.
Taking part in the meeting, according to the same information, were the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, Asim Munir, the Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, Khalid bin Salman, and the head of Turkish intelligence services, Ibrahim Kalin.
The talks are described as contacts between Iran and countries that fall within the so-called «Mecca Alliance».
Regardless of the outcome of the consultations, the gathering in the Iranian capital of senior officials holding responsibilities in the fields of defense, security, and intelligence from four countries with a decisive geopolitical role constitutes a remarkable development for regional balances.
Pezeshkian bombshells: Muslim unity in the face of US-Israeli arbitrariness
The need for unity and the strengthening of cooperation among Islamic nations was underscored by President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian during a meeting with senior officials from Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, while signaling that Tehran will defend the rights of the Iranian people.
According to the Tasnim news agency, the Iranian president met with the Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, Khalid bin Salman, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, Asim Munir, and the head of Turkish intelligence services, Ibrahim Kalin.
Pezeshkian expressed his satisfaction over the holding of contacts and consultations among Islamic countries, pointing out the fundamental bonds that unite the Muslim world.
«We firmly believe that Islamic countries must, based on the teachings of the Holy Prophet, place brotherhood and unity at the heart of their mutual relations.
Muslims are brothers and must stand united against threats and actions directed against Muslim nations», he stated characteristically.
As he added, «if we ground our relations and interactions on this basic principle, there will be no room for disputes and problems to emerge among Islamic nations».
«Zionists have committed crimes in the region»
Referring to the established positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the strengthening of solidarity across the Muslim world, the Iranian president asserted that unity represents a core priority of his administration.
«From the outset of its tenure, the 14th government has underscored the necessity of unity and cohesion across the Islamic world», he stated.
Concurrently, he launched a fierce attack against Israel, accusing it of extensive criminal acts in the region and condemning the support that, as he argued, it receives from the United States.
«However, in recent years our region has witnessed violent actions and widespread crimes by the Zionist regime, which, relying on state terrorism and enjoying American support, commits numerous crimes in the region while simultaneously accusing others of terrorism», Pezeshkian stated.
Major drone attack in Iraqi Kurdistan
At the same time, reports indicate that Iran launched several unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) of the Shahed-136 type from the Piranshahr region, headed toward Iraqi Kurdistan.
Residents of the Garmian region, near the border with Iran, report that they saw and heard drones flying over the area.
According to the latest available reports, no explosions have been recorded in Erbil or Sulaymaniyah.
US: The next strike will be sweeping
In any event, American forces in the Middle East remain prepared to launch new, potentially large-scale military operations against Iran «within 96 hours of receiving» a relevant directive from President Donald Trump, according to two American officials.
According to the same sources, sufficient military forces have now been deployed to the region for the execution of potential attacks.
The scale of new American military operations is expected to go beyond the rationale of limited strikes that merely aim to «mow the lawn» or maintain the status quo by hitting radars, launchers, and other Iranian military assets that can be rapidly replaced or repaired.
This was the practice followed since Trump halted full-scale military operations earlier this year, the sources added.
«It will be a large-scale operation», one of the officials told CNN.
This assessment is shared by other current and former American officials familiar with internal discussions on military planning.
Certain officials among them consider that the question is not if, but when Trump will give the green light.
They believe that the directive could be issued at any point before the end of the year, although it is most likely to occur after the midterm elections in the US.
Fox News: Pentagon directive to US bases for autonomous operation for... 90 days
The Pentagon is preparing American military bases to be able to operate autonomously for at least 90 days, in the event of a large-scale war that could cause electrical blackouts, supply chain disruptions, and the destruction of critical infrastructure in the United States.
This is reported by the television network Fox News, citing documents from the US Department of Defense.
Under the FORTRESS program, military bases must be equipped with independent power generation sources, as well as stockpiles of fuel, water, munitions, and other vital supplies.
The plan also envisions the capability to convert civilian industrial facilities into military production units.
Spokesperson for the Pentagon Sean Parnell stated: «The next conflict will likely be fought on multiple fronts.
When that happens, global supply chains will collapse».
However, it is clarified that the Fox News report refers to preparations of the United States for the prospect of a major war in general, and not to plans for conducting continuous military operations against Iran for 90 days.
Extensive target list
Iranian forces are now more familiar with American tactics and, as a consequence, it will be harder for the American military to effectively destroy all potential targets.
However, the leadership of CENTCOM and the Pentagon has drawn up an extensive target list, which includes energy infrastructure of Iran, military installations, and nuclear sites.
Officials state that Trump has not yet decided what he will do after the midterm elections, but appears to be leaning toward ordering large-scale military action.
They warn, however, that in the past as well Trump had appeared ready to proceed with specific actions, only to back down ultimately at the last minute.
The White House declined to comment, as reported by CNN.
A senior official of the Pentagon stated: «The department is a planning organization whose mission and duty is to develop and execute the military options directed by the president».
Retaliation by Iran will be harsh
Recent assessments by American intelligence agencies show that Iran and Houthi rebels view the prospect of renewed attacks by the US and potentially Israel with extreme seriousness, according to two additional sources familiar with the matter.
If the US and Israel launch new military operations against Iran, Tehran and the Houthis will likely respond immediately, targeting American personnel and facilities throughout the region, and potentially beyond it, according to sources familiar with recent assessments by American intelligence agencies.
Americans at risk
An unclassified memorandum dated October 23, sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, states that American intelligence agencies have established that «Iran has significantly stepped up its efforts to target American personnel» and that planned operations «have reached an advanced stage both in the Middle East and in certain other countries».
American intelligence officials estimate that, at the present stage, Iran and the Houthis are unlikely to carry out pre-emptive attacks that would lead to escalation against American personnel or Israel.
However, they will not hesitate to respond if Iran is struck first by American or Israeli forces, pointed out one of the sources familiar with the latest American intelligence assessments.
Evacuating diplomatic personnel
However, the regional threat posed by Iran and the Houthis is one of the reasons why the US is expected to proceed, without undue publicity, with the evacuation of personnel from its embassies across the Middle East in the coming days, the source stated.
Although the American embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is the only American diplomatic mission in the region for which a personnel departure order has been issued, one of the sources told CNN that similar directives are expected to be given to other missions as well.
Those that do not receive such orders will be required to downsize their staff, based on an authorized staffing ceiling.
Furthermore, according to an American official, non-essential military personnel of the US who were scheduled to be deployed to the Middle East as part of the next troop rotation were informed that they will not travel to the region after all.
This development underscores the prospect of an impending regional escalation.
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