Media: Israel sees low chance of major US military action against Iran before midterms

Israeli authorities believe the United States is unlikely to resume large-scale military operations against Iran before the November 3 congressional midterm elections, as Washington remains focused on restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Al-Monitor reports.

An associate of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the publication that Israel was paying less attention to the Strait itself and instead viewed the economic pressure on Iran as increasingly effective.

“With all due respect to the Gulf of Hormuz, we are less interested in it,” the associate said on condition of anonymity.

“Our working assumption is that until the midterm elections in the United States, the president will not embark on an adventure of a significant scale, but will only strengthen what he has at the moment, and what he has is quite a lot. The economic blockade is taking a very heavy toll on Iran,” he added.

According to the Israeli assessment, Washington is currently prioritising efforts to restore maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli officials believe sanctions and the economic blockade can exert sufficient pressure on Tehran without requiring another major U.S. military campaign.

“The current situation is the most convenient and effective for Israel,” the associate told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.

“Of all the bad alternatives, this is the best — tightening the US siege and economic sanctions, close monitoring of the Gulf and gradual strangulation of what is left of the Iranian economy. All these are elements that could lead to the fall of the regime.”

By Sabina Mammadli