The October Surprise That Failed: How Netanyahu’s Pre-Election Push for Iran Strike Was Blocked by His Own Army Chief and Washington

_CNN, Channel 12 and NYT confirm Israeli PM lobbied Trump for joint attack days before Oct 27 vote; IDF Chief Zamir warned US counterpart election would be derailed; Tehran hosts Pakistan-led de-escalation talks same day_

By Asad Kharal

ISLAMABAD : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spent the past week lobbying US President Donald Trump to authorize a joint US-Israel strike on Iran ahead of Israel’s Knesset election on Tuesday, but was refused by both Washington and his own military chief, according to three separate investigations by CNN, The New York Times and Israel’s Channel 12, verified by Minute Mirror.

The revelations coincide with a parallel diplomatic track in Tehran where Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir brought Saudi Arabia and Turkiye to the table with Iran for the first time since the Mecca Mutual Defence Pact was signed in August.

*PART 1: THE LOBBYING – ONE WEEK IN WASHINGTON*

According to CNN, reporting Monday Oct 26:

> “Netanyahu really wanted and tried to convince Trump for a joint attack in Iran before the elections, and Trump did not give a green light,” an Israeli security source told CNN.

CNN reports Trump and senior US officials asked Israel to wait, indicating they would agree to conduct joint operations “soon,” after US midterms on Nov 3.

*PMO Response:* The Prime Minister’s Office called the CNN report “fake news, without elaborating,” as reported by Times of Israel.

*PART 2: THE INTERNAL REVOLT – IDF CHIEF REFUSES*

On Sunday night Oct 25, Channel 12 reported an “unprecedented confrontation” at Palmachim Air Base between Netanyahu and IDF Chief Lt Gen Eyal Zamir.

Zamir rejected an instruction for military action that defense officials believe “could lead to a swift confrontation with Iran” days before election. He demanded “an in-depth discussion, followed by formal authorisation signed by political leaders.”

Military officials familiar with the meeting, speaking to Haaretz on condition of anonymity, said Zamir opposed launching an attack just days before the election.

NYT also reported Zamir directly warned US Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Dan Caine that a strike could force postponement of the Knesset election.

*PART 3: THE TEHRAN DE-ESCALATION TRACK – PAKISTAN-LED*

On the same day, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council hosted a quadrilateral meeting, confirmed by IRNA and ISPR, aimed at reducing regional escalation.

*Verified Participants:*
– Pakistan: Field Marshal Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi
– Saudi Arabia: Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman
– Turkiye: Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin
– Iran: President Masoud Pezeshkian, FM Abbas Araghchi, SNSC Secretary Mohsen Rezaei

*Joint Declaration (IRNA):* “Participants agreed to continue negotiations to strengthen cooperation among four regional countries for peace and security.”

Saudi Foreign Ministry: Meeting part of efforts to “reduce escalation and encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions.”

Iranian President Pezeshkian expressed support for any understanding that strengthens Islamic unity. Iranian Foreign Ministry said proposal for meeting was initially put forward by Field Marshal Asim Munir.

This is first high-level contact between Iran and the three Mecca Pact signatories since February.