Israeli Aircraft Drill Toward Iran Through Iraq, Syria

The United States and Israel are reportedly preparing for the possibility of renewed strikes on Iran after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, though President Donald Trump could still decline to authorize action. In a related drill, dozens of Israeli fighter and refueling aircraft reportedly flew through Syrian and Iraqi airspace toward Iran’s western border before turning back; Israel reportedly told Washington beforehand that the sortie was intended to demonstrate its reach and deter Iran. Some officials reportedly suspected the flight was meant to provoke an Iranian response that could justify an attack, while others described it as deterrence and warned of miscalculation. Possible targets in any future operation could include Iranian energy and nuclear facilities, missile and drone arsenals; the reports and stated purposes have not been officially confirmed.