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US said to warn Gulf states it may launch short yet intensive war with Iran after midterms
The United States has informed several unspecified Gulf Arab countries to be ready for a short yet intensive military offensive following the American midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources briefed on the discussions.
The report says the US military is sending a Patriot battery from Texas to bolster its air defenses and moving troops away from bases where they could be exposed to Iranian fire, part of what the newspaper describes as signs that the US and Israel are gearing up for a fresh round of fighting with the Islamic Republic.
The White House says in response that it won’t comment on “sensitive military plans that may or may not exist” but stresses “President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
Netanyahu: Israel has ‘historic, one-time opportunity’ to defeat Iran ‘once and for all’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses his supporters at an election night event after the exit polls were announced, in Jerusalem on early October 28, 2026. (Jewel Samad/AFP)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says at Likud election headquarters in Jerusalem that it is a “shame” that parties are willing to cooperate with Arab parties.
He asks how parties can talk about “the covenant of those who serve” with parties that attack IDF soldiers.
Netanyahu blasts “criminal political investigations” into him.
“Israel is facing a historic, one-time opportunity along with our friend President Trump,” he says, “to remove the Iranian threat once and for all.”
“We have been able to overcome our enemies, and we will be able to in the future,” he says, before joining in to the song blasting through the speakers.
Netanyahu says right-wing bloc won ‘decisive majority’ among the Zionist public; plans to form ‘right-wing, national government’; claims ‘Iran weaker than ever, Israel stronger than ever’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets his supporters at the Likud party headquarters in Jerusalem after the release of exit poll results from the general election, October 28, 2026. (AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes through Israel’s accomplishments in the wars since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, terror onslaught in his post-election speech at Likud election headquarters in Jerusalem.
“Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is stronger than ever,” he says.
He says that along with US President Donald Trump, Israel will end the Iranian threat once and for all.
His voice is hoarse as he thanks Likud activists and MKs.
“We are still waiting for the true results,” he says.
“The Likud is the biggest party in Israel,” he says to cheers.
Netanyahu goes after news outlets that predicted that Likud would perform poorly in the elections.
“The right-wing bloc has a clear, decisive majority among the Zionist public,” he says, “among the Jewish public and all those who support the state.”
For this reason, he says, “We need a right-wing, national, strong government. That’s what has to be done.”
It is unthinkable “to endanger Israel and set up a government that relies upon anti-Zionist Arab parties,” he says, “parties that oppose our very existence, that regard Hamas as a charitable organization, that call our soldiers war criminals.”
Key Update
Netanyahu arrives at Likud election event in Jerusalem
Supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrate at the Likud party headquarters in Jerusalem following the release of exit poll results from the general elections, October 28, 2026. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived at the Likud election headquarters in Jerusalem.
Supporters hold signs aloft and stand on chiars, as one activist clad in pink blows a shofar.
Netanyahu’s bloc falls back to 60 seats in updated exit poll from pro-government TV channel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc falls from 62 seats back to 60 in the latest poll from the pro-government Channel 14, which now forecasts the hawkish opposition Yisrael Beytenu party will pass the minimum vote threshold after earlier stating it wouldn’t.
According to Channel 14, opposition Zionist parties opposed to Netanyahu have 43 seats between them, while the majority Arab parties hold the remaining 17 seats.
Sa’ar says right-wing bloc has ‘clear Jewish majority’ as polls shift in Netanyahu’s favor
As exit polls begin moving in favor of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing bloc, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar of Likud states they have “a clear Jewish majority.”
“And the night has just begun,” he adds in a post on X.
In reversal, pro-Netanyahu bloc rises to 52 seats in updated exit poll to overtake opposition bloc
In its updated exit poll, Channel 12 gives the pro-Netanyahu bloc 52 seats and the anti-Netanyahu bloc 49, compared with 50 and 52 in its previous poll at 10:40 p.m, while the predominantly Arab Joint List and Ra’am parties hold the other 19 seats.
Changes: Yashar 21 (from 22), Likud 27 (from 24), Yisrael Beytenu 7 (from 8), Joint List 12 (from 11), Shas 7 (from 8), The Democrats 9 (from 10).
Key Update
US costs of Iran war rise to over $47 billion, according to Pentagon estimate
The US military has spent over $47 billion so far to prosecute the war in Iran, more than 25% higher than the Defense Department’s estimate in July, according to Pentagon data reviewed by Reuters.
The bulk of the war’s operational costs included more than $29 billion to replace expended munitions and more than $6 billion to replace military equipment. The figures do not clearly include a cost estimate to repair damage to US bases sustained by Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Kan 11 updates exit poll, pro-Netanyahu bloc pulls even with opposition
In its updated exit poll, Kan 11 gives the pro-Netanyahu bloc and anti-Netanyahu bloc 51 seats each, compared with 50 and 52 in its previous poll at 11:04 p.m.
Changes: Likud 27 (from 25), The Democrats 9 (from 10), Otzma Yehudit 6 (from 7).
Energy grows at Likud HQ as ministers gather ahead of Netanyahu’s arrival
Likud ministers pose with supporters at the party's headquarters in Jerusalem on election night, October 28, 2026. (Lazar Berman/The Times of Israel)
Likud activists dance and throw Likud ballots in the air as ministers arrive at the party’s election headquarters in Jerusalem.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen shakes hands and poses for pictures as he enters the hall, as does Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli.
Organizers say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on his way to the election HQ and will arrive in the coming minutes.
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