TEL AVIV — Israel appears to be lowering expectations of a massive strategic strike against Iran in retaliation for its Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack. 

Responding to heavy US pressure and the deployment of an expanded American defense umbrella, Israel has reportedly abandoned plans to target Iran’s oil and gas facilities or nuclear sites, the prospects of which greatly concerned the United States and other countries. 

According to The Washington Post, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Joe Biden during their Oct. 8 telephone conversation that Israel had decided to attack military targets in Iran. “We listen to the American government’s thoughts, but will make our final decisions based on Israel’s national security needs,” Netanyahu’s office said in response to the report.

“We don't stand with a stopwatch and wait," one senior security official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. "It's better to attack at the right time than at any cost." The source added that the US elections, in just three weeks on Nov. 5, are also taken into consideration.