Newsmax: The United States has told several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a short, intense military campaign against Iran following next week’s midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The warnings, delivered through diplomatic and military channels, are among growing indications that Washington and Israel are preparing for another round of major strikes aimed at weakening Tehran’s military capabilities and pressuring the regime into negotiations.
President Donald Trump has not made a final decision but is leaning toward a large-scale attack after the Nov. 3 elections that could target Iranian infrastructure and nuclear facilities, according to people familiar with his thinking.
“We may do another little Epic Fury,” Trump said at a rally last week, referring to the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign earlier this year. “Or they’ll agree.”
The Pentagon is strengthening its regional military posture, including sending another Patriot missile defense system from Texas to Israel, the Journal reported.
American forces have been replenishing ammunition supplies, while bombers and fighter jets are preparing for possible strikes.
Another aircraft carrier strike group and Marine expeditionary unit could join approximately 20 U.S. warships already operating in the Middle East next month.
The White House declined to discuss potential military operations.
“President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” the administration said.
Trump has publicly ruled out attacking Iran before the midterms, while regional mediators continue unsuccessful efforts to revive negotiations.
The administration has maintained intense economic pressure through sanctions and a naval blockade that have severely restricted Iranian oil exports and trade.
However, Tehran has continued rebuilding its ballistic missile capabilities despite suffering extensive damage during previous American and Israeli attacks.
Iranian officials have warned that another U.S. offensive could trigger widespread retaliation against American military installations and critical economic infrastructure throughout the Persian Gulf.
Time reported that Iranian military officials have even raised the possibility of launching preemptive attacks if they believe another American or Israeli offensive is imminent.
The escalating tensions present Trump with a difficult choice between renewed military action and continued economic pressure.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, cautioned that Washington already holds a strong position through sanctions and the blockade.
“Otherwise, at the moment, the U.S. has a winning hand through maintaining sanctions and the blockade. It should stay the course,” he told the Journal.