Israel to reportedly hold off Iran strike until after US election

Maariv: In meeting with Obama Netanyahu agreed to wait sixth months before possible attack

PM Benjamin Netanyahu with US President Barack Obama, March 2012. (photo credit: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO/Flash90)
PM Benjamin Netanyahu with US President Barack Obama, March 2012. (photo credit: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO/Flash90)

According to US sources, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to hold off a theoretical Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities until the fall, Maariv reported on Tuesday.

During his meeting with US President Barack Obama last month, Netanyahu reportedly pledged not to take an offensive operation against Iran until after the upcoming US presidential election, to be held on November 6.

Netanyahu reportedly agreed to give more time for diplomacy and increased sanctions to have an effect on Iran.

The report said that Netanyahu and senior Israeli military officials believe that Iran will enter a “zone of immunity” in about six months — when their facilities will be developed to a point where an Israeli strike would not be effective in knocking them out.

US military officials remain opposed to a strike and to potential US involvement.

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