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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to prepare a new attack on Iran ahead of Tuesday's general election, but Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir pushed back and demanded a signed document authorizing the step, according to a report by Israel's Channel 12.

The dispute has been described as an "unprecedented crisis" between the two men. Netanyahu rejected the account, saying there was no disagreement with Zamir and calling the reports "nonsense."

Election timing and speculation over new operations

Netanyahu had earlier claimed, in a speech on the northern border of the occupied West Bank, that intelligence indicated threats of attacks against the country ahead of the elections. Meanwhile, both Israeli public debate and international media had raised the possibility that the Netanyahu government could launch a new military operation against Iran, Lebanon or the Gaza Strip before the vote.

Reports also alleged that US President Trump and Netanyahu had discussed in the first week of October the option of a new strike on Iran before Israel's general election on 27 October and the US congressional midterm elections on 3 November.

Key takeaways

• Channel 12 reported an "unprecedented crisis" between Netanyahu and Zamir over Iran attack orders
• Zamir reportedly demanded a wet-signed authorization document and a full assessment meeting
• Netanyahu dismissed the reports as "nonsense" and denied any disagreement with the army chief
• The reported confrontation escalated in the past 24 hours, with a tense meeting Sunday at Palmahim air base