IranNo Majority, No Planner: Israel’s Count Ends Deadlocked, the Pentagon Loses Its Iran War Planner, and the Strait Burns Again
Day 244 in one line: Israel finished counting and found no government, and the Pentagon fired the general drawing up the plan for the war’s next phase — five days before America votes.
Israel: Final Count, No Majority
Israel’s Central Elections Committee released final results after all votes were counted: Netanyahu’s bloc 53 seats, the bloc led by Yashar’s Gadi Eisenkot 48, and Arab-led parties a combined 19, historic gains. No coalition reached 61 seats. The committee said the vote was conducted lawfully and found no basis for claims of systematic interference; results are to be certified by Wednesday. Netanyahu’s bloc held 68 seats at its peak in the outgoing Knesset. Opposition politicians met to explore a coalition; ABC noted Netanyahu’s path is narrow because his bloc cannot partner with Arab parties without losing settler parties.
Hegseth Fires the Iran Planner
Defense Secretary Hegseth fired Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff — the J5, who was coordinating the Iran battle plan — several sources told CBS late Wednesday, US time. A Pentagon official said Sylvia was accused of leaking classified information about the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars, failed three polygraph tests, and has been referred to the Justice Department. He is the second J5 removed under Hegseth; no replacement was named. Separately, the Times of Israel reported the top US commander briefed Trump on Iran military options as ten US military transport planes landed in Israel.
The Strait Burns Again
UKMTO reported a new vessel on fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said tankers had struck mines and disputed a US claim that key shipping lanes had been cleared; ABC noted maritime security officials have said there is no evidence of mines in the strait, and this tracker records the mine claims as unverified. Trump said Iran wants a deal but may be waiting for the election, and that stringing the US along was not going to help it.
Saudi Arabia, and Europe’s Bill
The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile fired toward the kingdom. French President Macron said cost-of-living increases driving protests were fuelled by the war in Iran.
Status Assessment
Tracker status holds at WAR RESUMED. Day 244 removes certainty from both allied capitals: Israel has no government in sight, and the Pentagon has fired the officer coordinating the Iran plan days before the window Trump’s pledge opens. Qatar’s draft awaits Iran’s answer, and the strait reports another ship ablaze. No ceasefire is in force. The midterms are five days away.