(Dreamstime)
The Pentagon has directed U.S. Central Command to complete preparations for possible new military strikes against Iran as President Donald Trump weighs whether to resume major combat operations, according to U.S. officials.
No final decision or attack date has been set, but the preparations come after weeks of increasingly direct warnings from Trump that the United States could launch another major assault if Tehran does not agree to Washington’s demands.
Axios reported Wednesday that potential strikes could target Iranian energy infrastructure, military facilities, and nuclear sites, with U.S. and Israeli officials saying renewed combat could occur before the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections or Israel’s Oct. 27 elections.
Trump has repeatedly raised the possibility of renewed attacks in recent weeks.
In an Axios interview published Sept. 17, Trump said he was approaching a “big decision” over whether to “annihilate” the Iranian regime or pursue another course, saying he was considering whether to restart massive attacks to bring the war to an end.
Trump again left the military option open during his Sept. 22 address to the United Nations General Assembly, warning that Iran would face devastating consequences if it refused to abandon efforts that Washington said could lead to a nuclear weapon.
Then, in a Time magazine interview published Oct. 1, Trump said expanded U.S. bombing of Iran after the November midterms was “possible.”
Trump also said the United States had spent months rebuilding its weapons stockpiles and declined to rule out additional military action if negotiations fail.
At the same time, Trump has repeatedly predicted that the war could end before or immediately after the election.
On Oct. 1, he said Iran was “ready to fold up” and predicted that the United States would win the war “right after the election,” adding, “Maybe before the election,” according to CBS News.
Trump has also accused Iran of using the U.S. election as leverage, saying Tehran believes it can wait until after the midterms for a better negotiating position.
The latest military preparations come as diplomatic efforts have stalled.
Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying its terms did not go far enough, while the administration continues to demand major restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.
Vice President JD Vance said this week that Tehran must make a meaningful reduction in its uranium-enrichment capabilities for Washington to accept a deal.
Iran continues to insist on its right to enrich uranium, leaving the two sides far apart on a central issue in negotiations.
The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes Feb. 28, has now entered its eighth month and has contributed to major disruptions in energy markets, particularly because of the fighting and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
The Pentagon preparations also follow a meeting Friday of Trump’s top national security officials at Camp David, including Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to Axios.
Axios reported that Iran and the broader Middle East conflict were central topics of the meeting, although Rubio described such gatherings as part of the administration’s broader strategic planning.
Trump faces political pressure over the war and its effect on fuel prices ahead of the midterms.
Reuters reported Wednesday that two-thirds of Republican candidates in 62 competitive House and Senate races have distanced themselves from Trump on at least some issues, with the Iran war among the areas generating disagreement.
Israeli officials are also watching the possibility of renewed U.S. action closely.
Axios reported that Trump has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu twice in recent days, while Israeli officials believe renewed U.S. and Israeli combat operations could prompt Iran to retaliate with a major ballistic-missile attack against Israel.
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