Washington, Oct 28: The United States has told several Gulf countries to prepare for a possible military campaign against Iran after the US midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people briefed on the conversations.
According to the report, the United States and Israel are preparing for another round of intense military operations against Iran, with American forces in the Middle East replenishing ammunition stocks and bombers and fighter jets being prepared for potential strikes.
Israel has also drawn up plans and identified targets for a possible fresh attack, the report said, indicating that military options remain under consideration amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump has not taken a final decision on launching another attack but is leaning towards a major military operation targeting Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites, the report said, citing Xinhua News Agency.
However, the possibility of a diplomatic agreement remains open, with Trump indicating that Tehran could avoid further military action by reaching a deal with Washington.
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Trump Weighs Military Action and Diplomatic Deal
Last week, Trump said the United States could launch another operation similar to what he described as a “little Epic Fury”, referring to the US and Israeli bombing campaign carried out in the spring, or Iran could agree to a deal.
The President has said that he would not attack Iran before the US midterm elections. His remarks have nevertheless kept the possibility of further military action in focus as Washington continues to press Tehran for an agreement.
According to The Wall Street Journal report, the preparations by US forces and Israel indicate that military options are being considered even as diplomatic efforts remain possible. The report did not establish that a final decision to launch a new attack had been taken.
The potential targets reportedly include Iranian infrastructure and nuclear facilities, although the precise scope and timing of any possible operation remain uncertain.
Trump Warns Iran of Further Strikes
Last week, Trump warned that American forces could launch another round of military strikes against Iran if Tehran failed to reach an agreement with Washington.
Speaking at a Republican campaign rally in Fort Myers, Florida, Trump suggested that the United States could repeat elements of its earlier military campaign if diplomatic efforts failed to produce an agreement.
“We may do another little Epic Fury, or they’ll agree. If they’re smart, they’ll just say, let’s get down to business,” Trump told supporters.
The remarks came as the President sought to present the previous military campaign as a success while maintaining pressure on Tehran to accept an agreement intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Trump’s comments indicated that Washington continued to consider military pressure as an option alongside negotiations. However, he did not specify the conditions Iran would have to meet to prevent another round of attacks.
Trump Claims Earlier Operations Weakened Iran
During his remarks, Trump referred to two American military operations against Iran, Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury, claiming they had destroyed Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities and significantly weakened its military and economy.
“We obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer,” he said.
The President maintained that subsequent military operations had reinforced the impact of the initial strikes. He also claimed that Iran had suffered major military and economic setbacks.
“We defeated them militarily, financially and otherwise and now we are ensuring it’s done,” Trump said.
The comments formed part of his argument that the United States had substantially weakened Iran’s capabilities while continuing to seek an agreement with Tehran.
The report of preparations for possible fresh strikes has now added another dimension to the situation, with Washington reportedly informing several Gulf countries about the possibility of a new military campaign after the midterm elections.
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Regional Tensions Remain in Focus
The possibility of further US and Israeli military action against Iran has implications for the wider Middle East, particularly as Gulf countries remain attentive to developments involving regional security.
The reported preparations suggest that military planning is continuing, even though Trump has not made a final decision on whether to authorise another attack. The prospect of strikes against infrastructure and nuclear sites could further escalate tensions if the situation moves beyond diplomatic discussions.
For now, the timing and scale of any potential operation remain unclear. Trump’s public statements have left open two possible paths: another round of military action or an agreement with Tehran.
The Wall Street Journal report, citing people briefed on the conversations, said Gulf countries had been told to prepare for a possible campaign after the US midterms. The report did not confirm that an attack had been ordered.
With Washington maintaining pressure on Iran and keeping military options under consideration, developments surrounding negotiations and regional security are likely to remain central to the unfolding situation. (IANS)
