Iran Israel Updates OCT 22

- Trump on Iran: We’ve knocked the h.. out of them, and we may do it a little bit further

- An unnamed Iranian security official told Fars that Tehran is preparing on the assumption that a joint U.S.–Israeli attack is inevitable and considers Washington’s diplomatic efforts unreliable. The official claimed Israel dictates U.S. regional policy and blocks a diplomatic settlement, while pressure inside Iran is growing for decisive action to break the naval blockade.

- Hamas leaders conveyed an unusual message to Israel stating that the terror organization is prepared to carry out another attack like that of October 7, 2023. (Ynet)

- Trump: US Is Not Negotiating with Iran; “Something Will Happen Fairly Soon” “We’re doing very well militarily and financially against Iran,” Trump said, adding: “I think we’re not negotiating. Something one way or the other will happen fairly soon.

- New York Times: U.S. and Israel armies have formulated plans to resume strikes on Iran after the U.S. midterm elections on November 3.

- Defense Minister Israel Katz says any attacks on Israel in the future would be “licensed in the names” of opposition leaders who have criticized him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for warning of potential attacks by Israel’s enemies in the lead-up to the election. “Every attack on Israel and all future terrorist attacks, if God forbid there are any, will be licensed in the names of Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, Yair Golan, and their friends in the opposition  who don’t stop attacking the prime minister and me and are casting aspersions on our efforts to warn and alert.

- IRGC says four vessels carrying oil hit mines near Hormuz, warns US of wider responses

- Hezbollah rebuilding military capabilities in Beirut as IDF prepares for possible renewed fighting."They are making a major effort to regain operational experience and return to peak combat readiness," a security official said about Hezbollah. Jpost.

- Dozens of Israeli fighter jets and refueling aircraft reportedly flew over Syria and Iraq toward the Iranian border earlier this week, following a flight path resembling an attack on Iran. The aircraft turned around shortly before reaching Iranian territory and returned to Israel, according to Axios . Israel informed Washington of the sortie in advance, saying it was a military exercise and a show of force intended to deter Iran from attacking ahead of next week’s election, the sources told Axios.