US officials have told several Middle East countries and regional allies to be prepared for potential renewed military action against Iran after next week’s US midterm elections.<\/p>\n
Two diplomats briefed on the matter also urged them to be prepared for the possibility Iran will attempt to retaliate against them.<\/p>\n
Both of the diplomats spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment about the sensitive warnings conveyed by US diplomats and defence officials.<\/p>\n
US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on whether to carry out new strikes against Iran, the diplomats stressed.<\/p>\n
‘Anything’s possible,’ Trump says on more Iran strikes after election<\/p>\n
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The president, however, has repeatedly said that he is weighing ordering new military action once the critical 3 November elections in the United States are over.<\/p>\n
Those threats and the fresh US urgings for allies to prepare for potential retaliation are putting the region on alert that a return to major operations could now be on the horizon.<\/p>\n
The White House and US officials declined to comment.<\/p>\n
Mr Trump yesterday said “anything’s possible” when asked whether the US would conduct more strikes.<\/p>\n
“I can’t tell you that certainly. But anything’s possible,” he told reporters.<\/p>\n
“I think with Iran, we’re in a very good position. It’s a question: when do I want to end it? Simply a question: when do I want to end it? We’ve decimated their military. We’ve decimated their finances. They have no money. They have inflation, the highest in the world, 301% as of a couple of days ago. But we’ll see what happens. We’re in good position regardless.”<\/p>\n
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