US alerts Gulf nations to possible post-election military action against Iran

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The United States has reportedly urged several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible “short, intense military campaign” against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing people briefed on the discussions.

The warnings were delivered through diplomatic and military channels, adding to signs that Washington and Israel are preparing for renewed military operations aimed at weakening Tehran and pushing it towards negotiations.

People familiar with President Donald Trump’s thinking told the newspaper that he has not made a final decision but is leaning towards a major post-election attack targeting Iranian infrastructure and nuclear facilities.

Asked at Joint Base Andrews whether he planned further strikes after the election, Trump said, “I can’t tell you that certainly, but anything’s possible.” He also warned that waiting until after the vote would not help Iran.

The US military is reportedly reinforcing its presence in the region. Measures include moving a Patriot missile defence system from Texas, withdrawing troops from vulnerable bases and replenishing ammunition supplies. Preparations are also underway involving bombers and fighter jets.

An additional aircraft carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit are expected to join approximately 20 US warships already operating in the Middle East next month. Israel has also prepared its own target plans, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed for renewed strikes.

CNN separately reported that US forces could begin major operations within 96 hours of an order from Trump.

The White House declined to comment on what it described as sensitive military plans, saying the president was keeping all options available to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Trump said on October 8 that the United States would not attack Iran before the midterm elections, citing what he described as productive discussions. However, in a Fox News interview on Sunday, he raised the possibility of either reaching an agreement or intensifying military action.

He also identified Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried nuclear-linked site, as a potential target. The last confirmed US strikes on Iran took place on September 1.

Diplomatic efforts have yet to produce an agreement. During a visit to Tehran, Pakistan’s army chief reportedly presented a proposal approved by Trump to end the hostilities, with Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar proposed as guarantors.

Iran, meanwhile, retains hundreds to thousands of missiles and has used the pause in fighting to rebuild its defences. Tehran has warned that any new attack would prompt retaliatory strikes against economic and civilian targets across the region.

However, analysts question whether further bombing would permanently undermine Iran’s nuclear programme. Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said he did not believe military action could permanently set back the programme.