Netanyahu warns Iran may attack to disrupt Israel's election

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli intelligence indicates Iran and its proxies could attack to disrupt Tuesday's election, warning of "disproportionate blows". Tehran dismissed the vote as irrelevant while preparing to host Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish officials on de-escalation, and Israeli officials said any future action could target Iran's senior leadership and nuclear and energy sites. Reports of pressure on the military before the vote, which Defence Minister Israel Katz denied, show how close Israel and Iran stand to wider regional war, though these remain warnings and disputed claims rather than a confirmed escalation.