There are signs indicating that the US could have been involved in the deadly Israeli air raid on Iran on September 26, Dr. Imad Salamey, associate professor of political science and international affairs at the Lebanese American University, told Sputnik.
"The US and Israel appear to have been in full coordination for the recent Israeli strike on Iranian territory. High-level meetings and discussions between the two countries’ political and military leaders preceded the attack, underscoring a collaborative approach," Salamey argued.
He insisted on Washington playing "a critical support role" in last week’s strikes by "reportedly providing safe passages over Iraqi airspace, installing THAAD missile defense systems in Israel, and placing its destroyer ships in the region on high alert."
"These steps suggest a deep alignment in strategy, with the US offering logistical and defensive support while Israel executed the actual strike. This coordination highlights the shared US-Israeli objective of countering Iran’s regional influence," the pundit pointed out.
He suggested that Tehran and Tel Aviv may refrain from further escalation "until after" the November 5 US presidential election, "as any further confrontation would not serve their interests at this time" and "risks complicating the situation for all parties."
"The election outcome on November 5 will likely shape the next phase of this conflict, influencing the scope and nature of negotiations and potential resolutions. Until then, both Iran and Israel are likely to adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach, assessing how the political landscape may shift post-election," Salamey concluded.
Over 100 Israeli warplanes, including the fifth-generation F-35s, were reportedly involved in the October 26 attack, which claimed the lives of at least four Iranian soldiers, according to the Islamic Republic’s defense ministry. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes as a "clear violation" of international law, adding that Iran "considers itself entitled and obligated to defend itself."