Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern that a preemptive strike against Iran before Israel's October 27 election would lead to accusations that he was using military action for political purposes, Haaretz…

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern that a preemptive strike against Iran before Israel's October 27 election would lead to accusations that he was using military action for political purposes, Haaretz reported, citing sources familiar with his meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to the report, the United States and Israel reached an agreement in principle on the need for a preemptive strike against Iran to prevent further advances in its nuclear and missile programs. The conclusion was central to Monday's lengthy meeting between Netanyahu and Hegseth at the Ovda Air Base in southern Israel. Intelligence presented during the meeting reportedly indicated that Iran was moving nuclear equipment into more heavily protected underground facilities, raising concerns that the sites could soon become significantly more difficult to strike. Haaretz reported that Netanyahu told American officials he feared an attack before the election would prompt accusations that he was attempting to influence the vote in his favor. He also expressed concern that even if Iran attacked Israel first, his political opponents would accuse him of exploiting the confrontation for electoral purposes. Netanyahu reportedly emphasized the sensitivity of the timing and asked that consideration be given to how military action could proceed without appearing politically motivated. The reported agreement in principle does not establish that a strike has been authorized or that a date has been set.

Dozens of Israeli fighter jets and aerial refueling aircraft flew over Syria and Iraq toward Iran's border on Monday night before turning back, American sources told Channel 12's Barak Ravid. The flight reportedly…

Dozens of Israeli fighter jets and aerial refueling aircraft flew over Syria and Iraq toward Iran's border on Monday night before turning back, American sources told Channel 12's Barak Ravid. The flight reportedly followed a route consistent with preparations for an attack on Iran. According to the sources, Israel notified Washington beforehand, describing the mission as a military exercise intended to deter Tehran. However, the American sources said they came away with the impression that Israel hoped Iranian forces would fire at the aircraft, providing grounds for a strike. That assessment was their interpretation of Israel's intentions. The mission coincided with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's visit to Israel, where he met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz at Ovda Airbase.

Sources to BNN indicate that the United States has ordered embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, while family members of American embassy personnel in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and…

Sources to BNN indicate that the United States has ordered embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, while family members of American embassy personnel in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain have also been ordered to depart. The orders follow an earlier Reuters report, citing U.S. officials, that the State Department was preparing mandatory departures of some personnel and their families from diplomatic missions across the Gulf.

The U.S. State Department is preparing to order the departure of some American embassy personnel and their family members from diplomatic missions across the Gulf, Reuters reported, citing U.S. officials. An ordered…

The U.S. State Department is preparing to order the departure of some American embassy personnel and their family members from diplomatic missions across the Gulf, Reuters reported, citing U.S. officials. An ordered departure requires affected personnel and family members to leave, rather than giving them the option to depart voluntarily. The Reuters alert did not specify which embassies would be affected or when the orders would take effect.