Reports Reveal Israeli Air Drills Simulating Potential Strikes on Iran via Iraqi Airspace

American and Israeli reports revealed that dozens of Israeli fighter jets flew through Iraqi and Syrian airspace toward the Iranian border in an aerial sortie simulating a potential military strike against Iran, amid increasing U.S. and Israeli military preparations alongside ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The New York Times, citing informed U.S. officials, stated that the U.S. and Israeli militaries have developed detailed plans to launch new strikes on Iran following the upcoming U.S. midterm congressional elections scheduled for November 3. The plans involve a short, intense military operation that could last about three days, targeting nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, missile capabilities, and Iranian drones, while both countries have intensified joint military exercises, including flights over Iraq to train for possible strikes. Similarly, a report from U.S. site Axios revealed that dozens of Israeli Air Force jets conducted a flight on Monday through Syrian and Iraqi airspace reaching the Iranian border before returning to Israel. The sortie included fighter jets and refueling aircraft, following a route consistent with a potential strike on Iran, covering over 800 miles, approximately 1,287 kilometers. Israel informed the United States in advance of the flight, presenting it as a training exercise to demonstrate power and deter Iran from attacks before the elections, while Iranian air defense systems were aware of the movement. Although presented as a military drill, some U.S. officials considered the maneuver risky, potentially provoking an Iranian response that could reignite conflict, with speculation that Israel might have hoped Iran would fire on the jets, providing justification for military strikes. Other reports indicated Israeli fighters flew toward Iran over Syria and Iraq during a maneuver conducted overnight Monday to Tuesday, with aircraft spotted over southern Syria and then over southern Iraq's Muthanna province. These aerial movements coincide with talks between the U.S. Defense Secretary and the Israeli Prime Minister amid reports of joint military plans and the possibility of resuming strikes against Iran. Officials told the newspaper that Washington and Tel Aviv nearly launched an attack earlier in October before the U.S. President decided to postpone it, while diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran continue. Conversely, Israeli reports revealed conflicting accounts regarding preparations for a previously planned strike on October 10, with military sources stating the army was not preparing for an attack in the manner seen before past operations, raising questions about the accuracy of reports about a canceled imminent strike. The U.S. President announced on October 8 that the United States would not attack Iran before the elections, noting ongoing talks with Tehran, while the timing of any potential military action post-elections remains undecided. These developments come amid Iranian warnings that any new attack would be met with a broader response, possibly targeting data centers and undersea communication cables, as disputes between Washington and Tehran persist over the nuclear program, negotiation agendas, ending the war and blockade, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.