US Pushed Israel to Strike Iran Alone, Report Says
The US asked Israel to attack Iran on its own, without American backing, sources told Maariv. The report says the request came during bilateral talks over the past two weeks.
Washington has since dropped the demand, at least for now, sources said.
US officials reportedly believed Israel wanted to strike before its own elections.
IDF chief Eyal Zamir reportedly said a strike would force postponing Israel's elections.
52 Knesset seats each for ruling and opposition blocs in a Maariv poll.
Why it matters: The report frames the request as an effort to shift political risk from Trump to Israel before November. Neither government has confirmed it.
Two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of Iran, per a Pew survey.
Trump said Thursday the US would not attack Iran before the midterms.
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Political Bias
Coverage by lean% of 3 sources
3 sources · 3 articles · 67% Center coverage
Where they split: Outlets agree on the facts. The Jerusalem Post treats the report as showing Trump directing Israel to strike. IBTimes places it within a broader pattern of Trump timing Iran policy to the midterms.
Center coverage, 2 sources: The center sees the report as part of a politically timed de-escalation, as Trump's approval falls over the Iran conflict.
