{
  "id": 15915416,
  "title": "Netanyahu to ‘Post’: Iran, its proxies plotting ways to influence Israel’s election",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/netanyahu-to-post-iran-its-proxies-plotting-ways-to-influence-israels",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T17:04:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-912451"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that Iran, along with its regional allies, is exploring methods to sway Israel's forthcoming election during a Wednesday conversation with The Jerusalem Post. \"We have clear warnings from military intelligence and Mossad that Iran and its proxies are contemplating ways to sway the elections,\" Netanyahu asserted. \"If they proceed, it will be a grave mistake on their part, as we will respond with force in a manner they cannot fathom,\" he cautioned.\n\nNetanyahu argued that Iran and its allies could attempt to sully public confidence in Israel's security by orchestrating attacks to suggest that the country's military accomplishments have not fundamentally altered the regional power dynamics. He emphasized Israel's remarkable progress since the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught, stating, \"We have achieved a remarkable feat,\" describing Israel as \"the most powerful country in the Middle East.\"\n\nAccording to Netanyahu, Israel has \"completed 90% of the job\" against Iran and its proxies, but the remaining task is to prevent them from rebuilding their capabilities. He listed adversaries, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who he claimed wanted him to lose the election. Netanyahu identified Iran's nuclear ambitions as the most significant security threat Israel faces. He recalled that a year ago, Iran was on the brink of developing several atomic bombs, adding, \"If we hadn't acted in Rising Lion and after that with the Roaring Lion, they'd have atomic bombs to destroy us.\"\n\nIran aims to build 20,000 ballistic missiles, Netanyahu claimed, describing such an arsenal as an existential threat to Israel, estimating they still possess over 1,000 missiles. Regarding potential future military operations against Iran, Netanyahu stated he believed US President Donald Trump and himself shared an understanding of the strategic significance. He warned, \"As long as the Iranian regime is there, they'll reconstitute themselves,\" emphasizing that Tehran would persist in pursuing capabilities Israel considers existential threats.",
  "summary": "PM threatens to respond with force and might if Iran makes a “big mistake,” claims Tehran was “on the verge of atomic bombs” • Full interview to be published Thursday",
  "key_points": [
    "Netanyahu warns Iran, proxies plotting to influence Israel's election",
    "Military intelligence confirms Iran, proxies contemplating election interference",
    "Israel considers Iran's nuclear ambitions an existential threat"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Israel bars United pilot from its airspace over alleged support for Iran, Hezbollah",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/israel-bars-united-pilot-from-its-airspace-over-alleged-support-for",
        "published": "2026-10-21T14:24:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Netanyahu is destroying Israel’s bipartisan support in the US - opinion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/netanyahu-is-destroying-israels-bipartisan-support-in-the-us-opinion",
        "published": "2026-10-21T17:50:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}