The U.S. and Israel are developing plans for a potential military strike against Iran that could occur early next month, an anonymous source briefed on the matter told NPR on Thursday. The preparations come as both nations approach scheduled elections and follow the detention of approximately 80 people by Israeli security forces in the West Bank on Wednesday, including New York Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander and over a dozen American rabbis.
The proposed timing of the potential strike follows a delay in mid-October, which the source attributed to objections from President Trump. The preparations may be intended to pressure Iran into a diplomatic agreement. Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may use the threat of military action to assist in forming a unity government if Israeli election results next week are inconclusive.
In domestic news, surrogates for both parties are campaigning in the final days before the U.S. midterm elections. Former Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit Mississippi on Thursday to support a Senate race, while former President Barack Obama is scheduled for appearances in Ohio and Michigan this weekend and Georgia next week. These efforts coincide with a reported surge in early voting turnout among Black voters and a fundraising landscape where more than $15 billion has been raised since the start of 2025.
Separately, Elon Musk is considering a merger between Tesla and SpaceX, a move that would create a company with a combined market capitalization of approximately $3.7 trillion. Musk discussed the possibility during recent earnings calls for both companies. Analysts suggest the merger could allow Musk to gain a controlling voting share in Tesla and help him meet growth targets required for a trillion-dollar pay package approved by Tesla shareholders in November.
The financial scale of the midterm elections has reached a reported $15 billion in total fundraising, with $4 billion already spent on House and Senate advertising. A significant portion of this funding comes from individual donors; Elon Musk alone has contributed over $277 million to Republican PACs and leadership funds in recent weeks, including $158 million to the Republican Senate Leadership Fund. Democratic candidates, however, have outraised Republican opponents in 27 of 35 Senate races, with Texas candidate James Talarico reporting $60 million in third-quarter contributions. This spending affects the frequency and volume of political advertising encountered by residents in competitive states like Texas, Kansas, and Ohio.
The immediate changes for U.S. citizens involve the conclusion of the midterm campaign cycle. Voters in monitored counties may see Department of Justice officials at polling places on Election Day to ensure compliance with federal voting laws. The next steps for the Tesla-SpaceX merger involve a formal proposal and a vote by Tesla shareholders, who may demand a higher share price before approving the deal. Regarding military preparations, the source indicated that strikes could occur after the U.S. midterms and the Israeli elections scheduled for next week.