Leak reportedly exposed Netanyahu and Mossad chief’s plan to attack Iran before Israeli election

Israeli media reported that Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad chief Roman Gofman pursued an operation against Iran shortly before Israel’s 27 October election. The plan was reportedly halted after a security operative inadvertently alerted the United States, amid warnings from Israeli officials that an attack could provoke a wider conflict and disrupt the vote. Netanyahu’s office denied that an attack before the election had been under consideration.

The reports describe wider disagreement between Netanyahu and military leaders, particularly chief of staff Eyal Zamir, who reportedly resisted action and sought further deliberations and written authorisation. Other accounts said Netanyahu had considered an airstrike or a less overt operation, while former prime minister Ehud Barak accused him of planning a provocation through Mossad. The claims emerge as Qatar mediates between Washington and Tehran; Qatar’s prime minister said progress had been made towards an agreement, while US President Donald Trump said talks with Iran were continuing.