Over the past two weeks, the United States reportedly urged Israel to carry out a military strike against Iran without direct American involvement, according to Israeli media sources. The push came amid heightened tensions and discussions between the two countries, with Washington seeking to shift the political risks associated with a potential operation away from the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Officials in Washington are said to have preferred Israel taking the lead on any strike in order to avoid potential fallout for Trump ahead of the US midterm elections. American sources suggested Israel might have a greater strategic incentive to act against Iran before its own upcoming elections, whereas a US-led strike could damage Trump's political standing.

The latest reports indicate that the initial US proposal effectively amounted to directing Israel to conduct an attack on Iran before the midterms, rather than the United States launching a military operation. However, the US appears to have since stepped back from insisting on this approach, at least for the time being.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stance on the matter remains unclear. Last week, his schedule reportedly focused heavily on security issues, including several confidential meetings, which some suggest may be related to the ongoing deliberations over Iran.

Earlier media accounts had described Trump as “considering” resuming military strikes against Iran, but the new information suggests a more active US role in pressuring Israel to execute such an operation independently.

No official statements from the governments involved have confirmed these developments, and it remains uncertain how these behind-the-scenes discussions will influence future policies toward Iran.