The Pentagon has instructed US Central Command to conclude preparations for a possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran, according to US officials cited by Axios.
The directive was issued several days ago but did not set a specific date for any strikes. President Donald Trump has also made no final decision on whether to launch new attacks.
US weighs options ahead of midterm elections
The White House has asked the Pentagon to develop military options for strikes on Iranian targets that could be carried out before the Nov 3 midterm elections, according to media reports.
A Pentagon official told Anadolu that the department’s role is to develop and present military options to the president, but did not confirm or deny reports that new strikes were being considered.
The Atlantic, citing two administration officials, reported that the scale and targets of any potential strikes, as well as whether the administration would ultimately proceed, remained under discussion.
Trump’s advisers believe the timing of any new strikes could be more appropriate after the midterm elections, the magazine reported.
A White House official said Trump has “all options available at any time”, without addressing the timing of possible military action.
US and Israeli sources cited by Axios said renewed major combat operations could take place before the US midterms, although the chances were described as not high.
The sources said the timing could also affect Israel’s elections, which are scheduled a week before the US midterms.
Possible targets include energy and nuclear sites
If major combat operations resume, they are expected to involve extensive bombing of Iranian energy, infrastructure and nuclear targets, according to sources cited by Axios.
The report said a resumption of the war within the next three to four weeks could also affect the US midterm elections, partly because of the potential impact on oil prices.
The White House official said the US was in a strong position, citing its control of the Strait of Hormuz and what the official described as Iran’s collapsing economy.
“President Trump holds all the cards and will do whatever is best for the United States,” the official said.
Trump’s national security team met at Camp David on Friday for several hours to discuss the war and other issues.
An Israeli official told Axios that a possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran was among the issues discussed.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after the meeting that the discussions focused on “long-term” foreign policy planning.
Iran talks remain stalled
Negotiations between the US and Iran have made no progress, while Qatari mediators are still waiting for an Iranian response to a US counterproposal that included demands for nuclear concessions.
A second Israeli official told Axios that discussions about a possible resumption of major combat operations had intensified, although the chances of such action before the elections were not considered high.
The official said the possibility would increase significantly after the midterm elections.
Trump also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, their second conversation in several days after a period of limited communication.
A US official said the call focused on “remembrance and respect for the victims of the October 7 massacre”.
The conversation came after Netanyahu held a meeting with his national security team about Iran. Netanyahu had also spoken with Rubio on Monday.
If major combat operations resume, they would most likely involve the US and Israel working together, with the Israeli military participating, according to the two Israeli officials cited by Axios.
They said Iran’s leadership was desperate and paranoid and could therefore launch a first strike, adding that Iran had already suffered two surprise attacks and did not want to face a third.
A renewed conflict could also affect Israel’s elections, as Iran would likely retaliate by firing hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, according to the report.
The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb 28, after which Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding in June following mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar to halt hostilities and pave the way for negotiations.
Implementation of the agreement has since stalled amid disagreements, including over security and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said in an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month that he expected to reach a deal with Iran after the US midterm elections.
He also warned that he faced a “big decision” on whether to pursue an agreement or “annihilate” the country.
