The United States and Israel have developed options for possible renewed strikes on Iran after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, according to reports citing officials and people briefed on the military planning. No final decision to launch an operation has been publicly announced.
The planning was first detailed by The New York Times and was also reported by Vesti Baku.
Potential Targets Under Discussion
Possible targets include Iranian nuclear facilities, missile and drone arsenals and parts of the country’s energy infrastructure, according to the reports. One option prepared by the Pentagon envisions a short but intensive operation lasting roughly three days.
U.S. officials have also discussed limiting the target list to avoid oil refineries and export infrastructure. Such attacks could disrupt supplies and drive another increase in global fuel prices, an outcome President Donald Trump has sought to avoid.
The options remain under review. Military planning does not by itself mean that Trump or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized new strikes.
Israeli Operation Was Shelved in October
Israel had prepared a larger, multiday operation for the weekend of October 10, the Financial Times reported. The proposed target list included nuclear facilities, civilian infrastructure and sites linked to Iran’s state leadership.
The operation did not proceed after Trump opposed restarting large-scale fighting before the November 3 U.S. elections, the newspaper said. That intervention postponed the immediate plan but did not remove the possibility of military action after the vote.
U.S. Expands Its Regional Military Presence
The Pentagon has prepared several operational options while reinforcing U.S. forces in the Middle East. The United States has ordered a third aircraft carrier strike group and additional Marine forces to the region, adding an estimated 9,000 to 10,000 personnel, according to The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press.
The buildup includes carrier aviation, escorting warships and an amphibious readiness group carrying Marines. U.S. commanders have also repositioned some personnel from vulnerable locations as regional tensions and the risk of retaliation have increased.
Diplomatic Channel Remains Open
Diplomats are simultaneously trying to prevent another round of fighting. Tehran has demanded an end to military threats and security guarantees before returning to negotiations. Washington continues to press for talks covering Iran’s nuclear program and broader military capabilities.
Iranian officials have warned that another attack could produce a wider regional response. Pakistan and Qatar are among the countries trying to preserve a diplomatic channel, but the sides have not agreed on a framework that would remove the threat of renewed hostilities.
The coming period will therefore be shaped by two parallel tracks: continued military preparations and attempts to establish terms for negotiations before any decision on strikes is made.